YMCA 5th Friday Get Together

It's not the YMCA You Remember!

Several dozen Rotarians, Rotaractors, Spouses and Friends met at the Allapattah YMCA for our July 5th Friday Social last evening.  Besides the good food and the fellowship we had a rare opportunity to get a personal tour of what is probably the only YMCA of it's kind in the entire country!

First of all, for those of you who don't know, our club has developed a tradition of having fellowship evenings every month that has five Fridays.  On the 5th Friday we get together and enjoy a couple of hours of cocktails and munchies.  In the old tradition of Rotary, we always try to have the event at a member's place of business.  We like to learn about what our friends do outside of Thursday meetings.  We keep it inexpensive (thanks entirely to the generosity of Elizabeth Lovables) and charge $10 per person to cover the bare costs of the food.  It only lasts two hours and many of our members use it as an excuse to start out their Friday evenings with cocktails anyway, so why not do it with your Rotary friends, right?

Our host for the evening was Rotarian Pat Morris, who, in his regular, daily routine is the Chief Development Officer for the YMCA Allapattah.  Pat (who broke his ankle eight weeks ago and hasn't been seen again until this even), is seen here with Kathryn Custler, the Director of the Y's Community Center.  They explained why it is this YMCA has charted new territory for completely integrating the organization into the community.

Twelve years ago, when our Club did Community Service at the YMCA, at the MLK Infant & Toddler Center, this was a small building that was struggling to offer day care for the busy Allapattah neighborhood where it is located.  Today, it is a modern facility with two separate apartment towers, a community center, a wellness center, day care, a state of the art fitness center and much, much more. 

The YMCA owns 60 acres of land that was given to them by the Flipse family many, many years ago.  The YMCA in Miami was actually started by a bunch of Rotarians include Dr. James Jackson, Flipse and the Shutts of Shutts & Bowen.  Five or so years ago they were fortunate to partner with several major developers of Affordable Housing Tax Credit projects and so today what you see is an impressive development that fulfills a great many needs in this community.  It has 90 apartments in one tower that are solely occupied by senior citizens, 55 and older.  The other tower of 110 apartments is for working class families, known as "workforce housing," low to low-middle income families. Now the YMCA has the most beautiful facilities in the country and all they have to do is raise $500,000 every year to offer their programs and staff the facility.  No rent.  No taxes.  Just the best programs that their donors can provide... here's a few photos from our tour.

 This is the Pre-School

A beautiful Fitness Center

From the minute you walk into the facility you're reminded that the YMCA is all about children and families.  They are funded in part by United Way, Children's Trust and many local, major corporations. We want to say "Thank You" to Pat Morris and Kathryn Custler for allowing us the opportunity to party at their place on Friday.  Should you find yourself in that neighborhood, stop in and see the facility.  It's pretty amazing. 

Discussing the VA?

The Quesenberries

Rosendo & France Castillo & Carol Brock enjoyed themselves.

Have you met Conan Castillo?

Chris was really attentive!

Kathryn & Friends

Learning all about the Y

Walter & Annette brought a visiting Rotarian from South Africa.

Carl packs up promptly at 8 p.m.

 

We had a really great time!

We made some new friends.

We visited with old friends

Vol. 66 No. 4 Notes from the Podium

President's Time

You're in really good company in Rotary.  Some other famous Rotarians include Sam Walton, J.C. Penny, Charles Walgreen (the 4-Way Test hangs in every office of every Walgreens, everywhere!), Joyce Hall and even Orville Wright.

Remember DUES ARE DUE.  This is the deadline for taking advantage of the 15% discount on lunches for the coming year.  Be sure to stop by Registration on your way out today and pay!

5th Friday is Tomorrow - Sign up today! 

ROTARY SOCIAL EVENTS:  Wednesday, August 3rd join the members of the Miami Rotary Club at Shula's 347 across from Sunset Place from 5 until 7:30  for Happy Hour.  It's 50% off all drinks and discounted bar menu.  When you're done there, walk across the street to Splitsville where you can bowl from 7:30 until 10 with our Rotaractors for a really good price of $15.  It will be FUN for all concerned.

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE:  Deena's committee met on Friday night, had a lovely evening and set a really ambitious schedule for this coming year.  Next is VA Bingo on August 20th from 1 until 3 p.m.  September 17th is Coastal Cleanup at Matheson Hammock from 9 until Noon.  Sign up for both.

Introducing Our Visitors and Guests

 Carol Brock

Visiting Rotarians today included Joe Witz from the Miami Club and Andres Goganta from Miami Dadeland Pinecrest.  Guests today included Adam Blaire (Bonnie's son, brought by Yoli Woodbridge) brought lots of guests today including Anthony Royal, Calvin Thompson, Sharonda Bryant, Justin Garcia, and Dianne de Mena.  They're all interning with him this summer from various local high schools.  Great Rotaract material, thanks Adam.  Andrea Fusero introduced us to Andrea Coure again. Bonnie Blaire brought her beautiful daughter Karen.  Dr. Phil Boswell brought Margarite de Paola, the Coral Gables High School Interact Liaison and the President and Board of Directors of the 2011-2012 Interact Club.  Deena Bell brought her friend Loren Sheldon and Dr. Randy Groh brought his daughter Allie. 

We like having all these visitors - they move us to the ballroom!  Come back again soon.

Happy $$$

It almost was a double duty today with Ana Fournaris joining the good Dr. Randy, but she turned the mic over to him so he could do what he does best, Groh scholarships.  Ana was happy to see all the young people at the meeting today.  Chris Morrison updated us on Debbie's (his wife) eye problems...everything is A-OK.  Other than that it was the report that Stanford is once again #1 for the Directors Cup for 17 years.  If you want all the other rankings see Chris.  Bonnie Blaire was really happy that both her son and her daughter asked to join her at Rotary today.  Eddie (Interact President ) was happy to be here and urged anyone interested to get involved with their club.  The first meeting is September 21in room 704 at Coral Gables High.  They're seeking speakers.  Jim Roen was ecstatic today about his daughter Kathryn's perfect score for AP Honors Spanish.  She scored the best, a 5!  Felix Pardo gave us more good news about his niece, J Guarch's daughter.  No cast, she can move all her limbs, she's in a wheelchair  and is being tranferred to Spaulding Rehab in Boston.  She's expected home in four to six weeks.  Steve Magenheimer was proud to boast of his granddaughter Sarah who has secured a great job in Dallas with Bane & Company and they'll be sending her to Harvard Business School for her MBA in two years, on them!  His son Andrew is on a safari in Zambia hunting Cape Buffalo.  His wife Dawn is out of the wheel chair.  All is good in his world.  Lan Nghiem-Phu was ecstatic to hear the good news about J's daughter and Randy had $5 from a long legged brunette who was anonymously happy to see Past President Wiley Hicks was visiting us today!  He also used his $5 to invite any interested people on his photo safari October 29 thru November 12 in Zambia.  Call him if you want more information!  And remember, keep on smiling because happiness pays!   

Happy Rotary Anniversary to John Wallace - Six Years!

Working Rotarians - July 27, 2011

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Jorge Teruel & John Porro

Head Table - George Reeves

Special Needs - Frank Sexton

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Sally B.

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Bonnie Blaire

Given To - Gloria Burns & Jim Skinner

Pin Drawing Gift - Deena Bell

Pin Drawing Winner - Jack Witty

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & THE Donald Tromble

50/50 Winner - Frank Sexton

4-Way Test - Carol Brock

Today's Program

Francis X. Sexton

"Did the Ancient European Discover America?"

Frank used primarily three books to present the response to that question.  The first was "1421 The Year China Discovered America" which presents clear proof that in the 1300's and 1400's China dominated the oceans under Admiral Zen who commanded a treasure fleet of more than 500 ships of huge proportions.  There is evidence of Chinese in Sacramento, in Peru, Ecuador and throughout the Caribbean and they all predate the Europeans.  

His second reference was the 1970's book by Barry Fell, "America BC".  This material provided proof positive that ancient Europeans and Asians were here thousands of years before Columbus.  There are Celtic root cellars throughout the northeast.  The Phoenicians were here between 800 and 1000 BC.  Ancient Libyans were brave sea men and there are signs carved in their script that date back to 300 BC warning of the Mojave Desert.  There are Druid phallic symbols and fertility signs in Vermont and New Hampshire that date to 1500 BC.

The third reference book was "Hooked X", by Scott Wolter.  The story of the Norse settlers from 1000 AD and the Kensington Rune Stone with it's medieval writing that was found in 1896 and spoke of Gottland which was off the coast of Sweden and involved the Cistercian Monks from 1362.  There's evidence that they constructed an Abbey in Rhode Island off I-95.

Then there is the story of the Kenniwick Man whose remains were found in the Kenniwick River and were dated at 9,000 years old.  He died from an arrow in his chest.  His DNA was found to be completely Caucasian.  Makes you wonder about alternate life forms doesn't it.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  Katy Sorenson presents "The Good Government Initiative."

 

Thought of the Week

by Abraham Horowitz

"Doing the same thing that got us into trouble in the first place,

isn't going to get us out."

Albert Einstein

Scene Scenes

 

 

See you next week,

same time, same place,

same great bunch of Rotarians!

Rotary Foundation Global Grants

Global grant project boosts malaria prevention and treatment in Mali

Last year, malaria claimed the lives of almost 750,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa, 85 percent of them young children. Some of the region’s poorest residents live in Yirimadjo, Mali, and are receiving protection from the disease through a Rotary Foundation Global Grant project supported by Rotarians in four countries.

Called Bite Malaria Back, the project is providing insecticide-treated bed nets, physician services, and medications to help prevent and treat malaria. It is led by the Rotary Club of Bamako-Amitié, Mali, along with the Rotary Club of Capitol Hill (Washington, D.C.) and five others in District 7620 (District of Columbia; part of Maryland, USA).

Club members are working with Project Muso Ladamunen, a nongovernmental organization whose goal is to end the cycle of poverty and disease in Yirimadjo. The Bamako-Amitié club is helping to coordinate Rotarians’ role in the effort.

During its first three months (February-April), Bite Malaria Back made possible more than 3,000 patient visits at the Yirimadjo Health Center. It also facilitated more than 12,700 visits by community health workers to residents’ homes, resulting in the treatment of almost 900 children with malaria -- over 80 percent within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, when medical intervention is critical.

The effort supports the disease prevention and treatment area of focus under the Foundation’s Future Vision Plan. It is funded by a $26,666 global grant and more than $33,000 in sponsor contributions from Future Vision pilot districts 3140 (part of Maharashtra, India), 7620, and 9100 (parts of West Africa). The Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile, Hong Kong, a nonpilot club, has also contributed funds to the project.

Rotarians in Mali are monitoring malaria-related consultations and services that patients receive from physicians. “We have also gone to see how the field workers go house to house to visit patients and make the project felt by the community,” says Sunny Akuopha, until recently a member of the Bamako-Amitié club, now of the Rotary Club of Bamako Ouest. “The project has had tremendous impact by reducing the mortality rate and mortality-prone situations.”

In June, Bite Malaria Back completed a survey of every household in Yirimadjo, which has more than 56,700 residents, and determined that over 22,300 bed nets are needed. The Against Malaria Foundation has committed to support the project, which will enable 21,500 bed nets to be distributed in July.

“By leveraging Rotary’s bold commitment to mobilize additional partners, Rotary’s impact will be multiplied manyfold,” says Ari Johnson, co-executive director and founder of Project Muso Ladamunen. He adds that the Mali Ministry of Health is being asked to provide the remaining bed nets needed to reach every resident in the community.

The Capitol Hill club used social networking to raise funds for the project through Crowdrise. It is also using Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to keep Rotarians up-to-date about the initiative’s progress and to coordinate media coverage.

“It is not acceptable for nearly one million children to die each year of a disease like malaria, which can be cured with a few dollars’ worth of effective medications, efficiently delivered to the thousands of children who need them,” says Capitol Hill club member Maria Nelly Pavisich.

“We are seeing incredible changes happening in the communities we serve,” says Johnson, reflecting on Rotary’s role. “I am at a loss for words to express our gratitude for your efforts in heroically championing the Bite Malaria Back vision.”

Historic Moments

Why the Rotary Year
Begins on July 1

Ever wonder why the Rotary year begins 1 July? The international convention initially played a key role in determining the start date of our fiscal and administrative year.

Rotary’s first fiscal year began the day after the first convention ended, on 18 August 1910. The 1911-12 fiscal year also related to the convention, beginning with the first day of the 1911 convention on 21 August.

At its August 1912 meeting, the Board of Directors ordered an audit of the International Association of Rotary Clubs’ finances. The auditors recommended that the organization end its fiscal year on 30 June to give the secretary and treasurer time to prepare a financial statement for the convention and board, and determine the proper number of club delegates to the convention.

The executive committee concurred, and at its April 1913 meeting, designated 30 June as the end of the fiscal year. This also allowed for changes to the schedule for reporting club membership and payments. Even The Rotarian changed its volume numbering system to correspond to the fiscal year (beginning with vol. 5, July 1914).

Rotary continued to hold its annual conventions in July or August until 1917. Delegates to the 1916 event in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, approved a resolution to hold future conventions in June, mainly because of the heat in cities where most of them occurred. The next one was held 17-21 June in Atlanta, Georgia.

The term "Rotary year" has been used to signify Rotary’s annual administrative period since at least 1913. An article in The Rotarian that July noted, “The Rotary year that is rapidly drawing to a close has been signalized by several highly successful joint meetings of Clubs that are so situated as to assemble together easily and conveniently.”

Since the executive committee's decision in 1913, the end of the Rotary year has remained 30 June.

Vol. 66 No. 3 Notes from the Podium

Print PDF

President's Time

President Debbie reported that the Board met on Monday, July 18th and there are several items of interest to all of our members.  First of all, the Board approved a $20 price for lunch for any children attending the meeting under the age of 18.  This is the actual cost of the lunches that we pay to the Country Club under our contract.  They have not granted us a reduced price for children, thus the best we can do is to charge our cost when you bring young people to the meeting.  In the future, should the Country Club give us a reduced price for children's lunches, you can be sure we will pass that on to our members.

CIVIC & CHARITY GRANTS  Kelly Sastre, Chair of the Civic & Charity Committee reported that the Board awarded a $1,000 grant to Camp Boogey Creek, this is an organization that sets up camps for children who are critically ill and they run as many as 17 camps throughout the summer.  The second grant was $500 for the annual Coastal Cleanup in September.  Our Club has participated in this event for many years.  Our donation gets us in their advertising and allows us to put up our banner on the day when we help to clean up 40 miles of South Florida coastline.

DUES ARE DUE and if it seems as if we're nagging you - we are!  Pay before August 1, 2011 to receive a 15% discount on the price of lunch for the year.  ALSO, when you pay your dues, why not include your $100 contribution to The Rotary Foundation for your Sustaining Membership for this year. It's only $2 a week.

Community Service Update

Deena Bell, Chair of the Community Avenue of Service for 2011-2012, is having the first Community Service Committee Meeting on Friday, July 22 at her house.  BYOB and all the energy and plans and projects that you can muster for our Club's Service for this year.

Contact Deena for directions to the social/meeting tomorrow.  Get involved! Help us to all get involved. Service and fellowship is what Rotary is all about.

Speaking of Fellowship ...

Bill, Julia and Woody Beckham Update
Margarita and Rick Tonkinson visited Bill and his son on Tuesday on behalf of the Club to learn about Woody's progress after his accident and how the family is adjusting to their new situation.  Bill and Woody were very pleased to see us and delighted to know of the Club's interest to explore opportunities to be of assistance to them.

For those who may not remember, Woody was suffered a severe spinal cord injury while playing Rugby on January 29.  He was discharged from Ryder Trauma Center on April 7th as a tetraplegic.  As you might imagine, the family's life was changed dramatically from that moment on.

The family would welcome assistance with transportation.  Woody goes to PT and OT on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday in Coconut Grove and to classes at Miami Dade College.  Or you can made a donatin to the Woody Foundation, where the funds will be used to support spine injury for low income patients and other related causes.

Woody continues to improve and provides great strength and inspiration to his closely knit family and friends who have supported him since the accident.  Feel free to contact Bill.  You can get his personal contact information from the Club Directory or email him at billbeckham56@gmail.com

Leo natives are confident, loyal, melodramatic and a little vain.  Charlie Crist, John D. MacDonald, Jennifer Lopez and our own Gene Witherspoon were all born on July 24th.  Happy Birthday to them all!  Especially to "Spoon."  

Foundation Minute

Foundation Chair Abe Horowitz presented President Debbie with her three sapphire Paul Harris pin.  That means that Debbie has given $4,000 to The Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund.  This money funds some of our favorite Rotary programs including Ambassadorial Scholarships, GSE Teams and District Matching Grants.  Help our club achieve 100% EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) Status.  Give to The Rotary Foundation, $100 is only $2 a week and that makes you a sustaining member.  Pledge something today.

Visitors and Guests Today

We had two visiting Rotarians with us today,  Irv Frost from the Brickell Club and Ozam Malik from South Miami.  Three members brought guests today as well.  Andrea Fusero introduced Andrea Coure;  Pastor Arnie Perry's guest was the Director of Crime Watch, Pat Kiel and J Guarch's law partner, Fernando Aran.  Come back again!

 Happy $$$

Dr. Randy returned today to help Groh Scholarships.  He commented on the fact that with both Liz Silverman and Susan Guttmann at Rotary today, who is taking care of the troops?  Dan Scipione gave his dollars to remind everyone that the bloodmobile is parked outside and we should give if possible.  South Florida has the lowest donor percentage of any other area.  And we have greater needs.  Give today and often.  Bill Oates is happy that he's found a terrific UM Grad student to house sit for five months while he goes back to Indiana to teach and both his kids return to college.  Rick Tonkinson was happy to see Irv Frost who is a member of the Fellowship of Flying Rotarians.  He wanted us to know that there are more than 100 Rotary Fellowships that run the gamut from Hunting to Fishing, to Wine Drinking to Cruising and even Singing.  Check them out.  They're fun!  Deena Bell Lewellyn is happy that she had the opportunity to attend the Landscape Architect's Convention at The Breakers last week.  Now she's all fired up!  She's fired up too because her hubby is returning from Louisiana after three weeks away.  Luis Boue said a big thank you to Tom Dixon who kept him awake at the FICPA seminar earlier this week.  Elizabeth "Lovables" is happy that Southern Command is back in town.  She can pay her employees for the month of July because of them!  It's an honor to be there making coffee for them every day.  If you miss her that's where she's at.  The Diva is happy because the doctor told her that she can begin running, gradually.  The problem is that although her body is capable, her mind isn't ready!  Bob Schreiber won't be at Deena's Community Service soiree on Friday because he's playing in the Annual Paws4You Golf Tournament at Doral tomorrow.  They need golfers so come and join him on the Red Course at 8 a.m. tomorrow.  J Guarch is ecstatic about the progress his daughter has made.  You'll recall that she was hit by an SUV in Martha's Vineyard two weeks ago.  There is no brain or spinal cord injury, thank God!  However, nearly every bone in her body is broken.  She's undergoing yet another surgery but her prognosis is great.  It's going to take about four months for her to  fully recover.  Her attitude is outstanding and an inspiration to everyone.  She celebrates her 22nd birthday next Tuesday.  On Wednesday she will meet the 85 year old doctor who hit her.  The bill for Air Medivac to Boston Hospital just came - it was $14,268 and worth every penny.  He thanked everyone for the positive energy, prayers and good wishes. Keep them coming.  Bruce Kerestes wanted to piggy back on what Rick Tonkinson said about Fellowships and invited us to get involved with the IFHFR (International Fellowship of Hunting & Fishing Rotarians).  They're a 501.c.3 who's mission it is to introduce  children to the outdooors.  Saturday, July 30th they are having their annual fishing trip aboard the Reward II for some thirty kids.  Remember happiness pays, so keep on smiling.

Working Rotarians - July 21, 2011

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Abe Horowitz & John Porro

Head Table - George Reeves

 Special Needs - Frank Sexton

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Pastor Perry

 Pledge - Jerry Santiero

Singers - Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

Introductions - Dick Bullman

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Sally B.

Given To - Greg Martini & John Porro

Pin Drawing Gift - Rodney Langer

Pin Drawing Winner - Gene Witherspoon

50/50 Collections - Rodney Langer & Sally B.

50/50 Winner - Kelly Sastre

4 Way Test - Carol Alexander

Today's Program

Captain Dan Kipnis

"Global Warming - The Changing Oceans"

Captain Dan has been an advisor to Miami Dade County on climate issues.    He has outstanding credentials and has worked tirelessly to preserve our ocean environment.  He wanted us to understand that the ship is going down and nobody is talking about it.  He says people call him a reactionary.  So he presented the facts and let us decide.

We are losing our reefs because of Ocean Acidification. The temperature on the surface is so hot that the important phytonplankton can't grow. Only 15% to 18% of the reefs are healthy. The coral is bleaching because they die without a food source and all because there's too much CO2 in the water.  It makes carbonic acid.  That's what cleans the rust off your battery cables.  It's killing the ocean environment, where 98% of earth's livable habitat exists. 

There is too much CO2 in the environment.  It's heating everything up.  The statistics show the dead zones in the oceans where neither zooplankton nor phytonplankton can grow. It's far bigger than the 25,000 miles that runs from the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico that's been polluted by the fertilizer run off from the corn farms. It used to be that the oceans' temperature would rise only one degree in 1,000 years.  It's increased two degrees since 1950. It's expected to cause the sea level to rise between three to five feet by 2100.  That will make most of what is now South Florida disappear underwater.  

So sell your real estate and move to higher ground.  We can't stop it.  Government can't stop it.  We don't seem to care and we're not even trying.  OR get involved and help get the message out.  We can put people back to work building infrastructure that will slow down this process and allow the earth to heal.  

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:    Past President & Historian, Frank Sexton;  "Did the Europeans Really Discover America?"  

Scene Scenes

 

 

See you next week, same time, same place 

and same great bunch of Rotarians!