Vol. 66 No. 44 Notes from the Podium

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President's Time

Don't forget to buy your ticket for the Winner's Choice Raffle.  The drawing will be held May 24th.  The prize is $20,000 cash.  There will only be 150 tickets sold.  Take another chance ... GO FOR IT!

We're taking nominations for the 2012 Citizen of the Year.  Contact Vocational Service Chair, Frank Sexton, if you know someone deserving of this recognition.

The Story of the 
Pledge of Allegiance to The Flag

by Ron Gerstl

Rather than just recite the Pledge of Allegiance today, Ron decided to give us a short history lesson, to wit:

 

Flag Day 1892

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855–1931), who was a Baptist minister, and a Christian Socialist. The original "Pledge of Allegiance" was published in the September 8 issue of the popular children's magazine The  Youth's Companion as part of the National Public-School Celebration of Columbus Day, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas. The event was conceived and promoted by James B. Upham, a marketer for the magazine, as a campaign to instill the idea of American nationalism by selling flags to public schools and magazines to students.  The Pledge was formally adopted by Congress in 1942.  It has been modified four times since its composition, with the most recent change adding the words "under God"  in 1954.

Gulliver Interact Banner Presentation 

Up until last year our Club had only one spectacular Interact Club at Coral Gables Senior High School.  Last year, due to the closing of their sponsor Rotary Club, the Gulliver Preparatory Interact Club became our Club as well.  Recently, at the Interact District Conference, we discovered that the Club did not have an official banner. Through the efforts of Terry Long we were able to rectify that situation and today the current President, Dillon Patel and the officers of the 2012-2013 Board of Directors received their banner on behalf of the Club.  Seen here is the banner in the company of Hank Langston, our Club liaison and Michelle Cooper, Teacher Sponsor.

 We also had the opportunity to meet next year's Officers.  Seen here are Nicole Tufts (President), Nicole Rubin (VP), Nikita Kulkarni (Service Director), Rishi Gurnani (Treasurer), Carlos Silva (Secretary), Ravi Patel (Fashion Show Chair), Michelle Cooper (Teacher Sponsor)

Community Service Project Benefits

Shake-A-Leg

Our annual Service Project for St. Patrick's Day with John Martin's benefits a different charity every year. For 2012, Shake-A-Leg was selected.  Today, Harry Horton, founder of the organization, expressed his gratitude for all that Rotary and our club members do for his organization - and to pick up the check!  He specifically called out Bill Beckham and Bill Quesenberry for their extraordinary support of SAL and voiced his amazement at the attitude that all of us Rotarians share when it comes to supporting charitable projects.  He graciously accepted a check for $2,102 ($1,000 donation and the tip money from the event $1,102) which we know will be put to good use.  He invited us to come and participate once again in Shake-A-Leg's annual Bay Day on May 19th.  

Persistent, determined, reliable, inflexible, stubborn warm hearted people are born under the sign of the Bull.  Say Happy Birthday today to Joe Lancaster, tomorrow to Kirk Landon, Carol Brock on Saturday and Swiss Chris Tyson on Monday.   

Catarina Jimenez and Jordan Steele are both celebrating their Rotary Anniversaries on May 1st.  Catarina's been in our club for four years, Jordan is an "old timer" with 30 years in Coral Gables.  Thanks for all your years of devotion to the Rotary cause!

 Introduction of Visitors & Guests

by Dick Bullman

Mr. B was really pleased today to have so many visitors to introduce.  He loves it when there's lots of new people at our meetings.  Randy Groh brought his partner, Dr. Richard Souviron;  Gloria Burns introduced us to Thomas Russo, Executive Chef at Westin Colonnade Hotel;  Joe Lancaster brought his dad, former Rotarian Richard Lancaster;  Yoli Woodbridge introduced us to Alex who was the Team Leader for the GSE to Australia earlier this year;  Chris Tyson brought his daughters Ellen and Natalie who are visiting for his birthday;  Lan Nghiem-Phu brought his son Mac Long;  Ana Fournaris introduced us to Paul Crespo, a former Marine, Paul is a community activist, a Republican and is currently running for the State House of Representatives;  Mead McCabe introduced us to Mark Dacy who accompanied Harry Horton from Shake-A-Leg;  Andrea Couvre introduced us to Dr. Alicia, his dentist;  Chris Morrison brought his Mom, Margery to see us once again;  Hank Langston introduced us to Robbie and Dillon Patel from Gulliver Interact;  President Debbie brought husband John in honor of their 32nd wedding anniversary (strange place to celebrate!)  Thank you all for coming and please come back again soon.

Happy $$$

Dr. Randy urged everyone to keep their happiness quick and financially beneficial today so that he could Groh scholarships ... first up was Yoli Woodbridge who was pleased to announce that the GSE Team for 2013 will be going to India and she's seeking a Rotarian to be the Team Leader.  If you're interested, call her.  Dr. Phil Boswell was happy to see Gulliver Interact here today and wanted to update us on the Tuesday elections at Coral Gables High School.  The 2012-2013 officers and board of Coral Gables Interact is a great bunch with tons of energy and lots of great ideas.  Join them for the Installation Dinner at his home on Saturday, May 5th at 6:30.  All are welcome!  Donald Trombly was trying to get Bill Oates to set up a collection for Carol Brock since she was injured playing tennis with Bill last week and it's the "least" he can do.  George Reeves was the RAG member selected once again to donate the proceeds from the losers of the month (i.e., winnings) to scholarships.  Walter Alvarez forgot to introduce us to Brad Vogt, a Rotarian from Ft. Lauderdale South and the District Grant Coordinator for 6990.   In closing, Randy was happy to be in the same room with Bill Martinez and nobody was laying down!  Happiness pays so keep on smiling!!

Working Rotarians - April 26, 2012

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Colletions - Bill Quesenberry

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Rodney Langer

Pledge - Ron Gerstl

Singer - Bill Quesenberry

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Julio Velis

Given to - Diane Thurston & Walter Alvarez

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & THE Donald

50/50 Winner - Rolf Frankfurter

4 Way Test - Walter Alvarez

Today's Program

Katherine Fernandez-Rundel really doesn't need any introduction.  She's been the State Attorney for Miami-Dade County for nearly 20 years.  Appointed to the post in 1993, she has been re-elected five times.  She's a long time Miami resident, graduate of UM with her Jurist Doctorate from Cambridge.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's office is the fourth largest in the US.  They have 330 lawyers, 1,200 employees and they handle an average of a quarter million cases representing 2.7 million residents in 37 municipalities in Miami-Dade.

CRIME:  Despite a bad economy, high unemployment, an unprecedented growth spurt and the SAO office being cut by 21%, her people were successful with all of the prevention programs they have implemented.  The crime rate in Miami-Dade is the lowest that we've had in the last 30 years!  As of December, 2010, violent crimes are down 31%, rapes have declined 51% and property crimes down by 35%.  

CORRUPTION:  Miami-Dade has, she believes, adopted the right attitude about prosecuting corruption cases.  They have a 50% success rate because they have learned not to spend a lot of time chasing after the lazy and the stupid, despite their errors they're not criminals.  Her people confine their efforts to catching the criminals.  They have established an entire division that has 13 lawyers and a financial analyst assigned.  She has been successful in securing an Auditor who is exclusive to this division and cannot work for any other government agency.

PREVENTION:  They have established a program that will allow people who have committed non-violent crimes to get their records sealed.  Even though this is supposed to happen, it rarely does.  The end result is good people never get a chance to redeem themselves because their record follows them around.  The department holds Sealing & Expunging Fairs several times a year to help felons get their lives back on track so they don't repeat their offenses in an effort to survive.

They have implemented a program among Law Enforcement called Safe Surrender to assist the officers in minimizing the danger level of stopping and holding people with outstanding warrants.  They are teaching officers START, and acronym for Stop-Think-Act in order that they know what's expected of them when they are dealing with the public.

A new program that they have established in the schools is called Snitch.  It keeps the bad guys from winning by establishing a crime watch program in the schools are rewarding the whistle blowers.  

In closing she took a few minutes to praise her outstanding and dedicated staff that work so hard for so little money to make life better for the people of Miami-Dade.  Certainly that's Service Above Self!

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  "Return to Cuba"  Hear the stories and the memories of members Rosendo Castillo, Carlos Ruiz de Quevedo and Jerry Santiero from their recent return trip to Cuba.

Thought of the Week

by Sally B.

"Destiny is not a matter of chance;  it is a matter of choice.  It is not a think to be waited for;  it is a thing to be achieved."

William Jennings Bryan

Scene Scenes

The Interact Banner Presentation
thanks to Terry Long!

So glad to have Dr. S.
to play with today

Edgard is everybody's best friend!

 Lan and Mac Long

 

50/50 Raffle Winner but he didn't
get the Queen of Hearts!

 Join us again next week.

Same time, same place.

Same great bunch of Rotarians!

Coral Gables Rotarians volunteer for 'EarthFest'

The very first official Earth Day celebration for the City of Coral Gables, called "EARTHFEST" was held Sunday, April 22 in the street and grassy park adjacent to Coral Gables City Hall. The festival was created by 'Sustainatopia' and other sponsors to bring awareness to living sustainably in the City of Coral Gables. Coral Gables Rotary volunteers assisted with the logistics of the festival including set up, clean up, and everything in between. Again our "service above self" allowed us all to enjoy a beautiful South Florida day while learning the latest trends and technology relating to sustainablility from green building products, to native plants, to sustainable food, to the newest electric and hybrid vehicles by Tesla, Chevrolet, Lexus, Toyota and Nissan.

Here is what Mr. Carlos Ruiz de Quevedo with the Coral Gables Green Taskforce, EWM Realtors, and also a Coral Gables Rotarian,  had to say about Coral Gables Rotary's contributions :

"Thank you all for a wonderful Gables EarthFest. The effort paid off and our primary goal of making people aware of sustainable living was achieved. The Mayor and Commissioners who attended were very pleased with the results and the City Manager offered to have the City help us more on the next event. People like the diversity of the vendors and NGO who were there. This was a great start the beginning of a new tradition in Coral Gables."

"By the way, in combination with the events of Earth Day, there was an article in the Miami Herald that also went far to teach people about green living. " http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/28/v-print/2759459/finding-a-green-home-takes-shopping.html.

"Have a great week and again, thank you for your efforts in making the first Gables EarthFest a success."

Carlos

Rotarians Honored at the White House

Ten U.S. Rotarians were honored on 20 April by the White House as Champions of Change for their volunteer work locally and internationally.

At the first ever Rotary Day at the White House, more than 160 Rotarians will attend a morning round of community leaders briefing series. White House administration experts will speak on topics including maternal and child health, disease prevention, economic development, youth and education, water and sanitation, and peace-building.

Rotary Day coincides with the U.S. presidential proclamation of National Volunteer Week, which is 15-21 April. Each of the Champions of Change will receive a copy of the president’s proclamation. In the U.S., you also can find out more about serving through volunteering at www.serve.gov.

Noelle Galperin Project Medishare, Haiti Rotary Club of Coral Gables (Florida)

Noelle Galperin of Coral Gables, Florida spearheaded her club’s Haiti recovery efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. She also has helped raise more than $325,000 for polio eradication, Rotary’s top priority, and has led teams of Rotary volunteers to India to immunize children against this paralyzing infectious disease. A senior strategy and marketing consultant, Galperin has served on numerous local non-profit boards and has a deep commitment to international service.  Noelle is one of 10 Rotarians from all over the world to be recognized as a Champion for Change.  Congratulations Noelle!!! 

Vol. 66 No. 43 Notes from the Podium

Presidents Time

A packed agenda required that President Debbie shorten the announcements today.  Most important was the fact that we are moving towards the end of the Winner's Choice Raffle.  In order to wind it up and have the drawing on May 24th, the Board has agreed to the sale of just 134tickets.  This affects only the prizes ...  the Fiat 500 and the Mako Flat Boat are no longer an option.  The winner will receive $20,000 cash, to do with what they like.  The odds just got a lot better!  Only 15 tickets left to sell.  Think about buying another one!

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE

Saturday, April 21 is Bingo at the VA from 1 until 3 p.m.   Two hours of your time means the world to the Vets!  Sunday, April 22 is the very first Coral Gables Earth Day Celebration.  Rotary is the official volunteer organization for the day.  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 24, 25, 26 from 9:00 until Noon is Special Olympics Golf.  Thursday, April 26 we are joining the Interactors from Gulliver at the Easter Seals Alzheimer's Day Care Center from 3 until 5 p.m.  Friday, April 27 is the next Community Service Meeting at Deena Bell-Llewellyn's house.  How's that for a really packed Service Schedule!

Rotary Club of Coral Gables

Sweeps the District Honors!

Every year the Governor of District 6990 recognizes the "best clubs" in the District.  The awards are always given out at the District Assembly which was last Saturday, April 14th.  

For 2011-2012 our Club and members received six significant awards.  Yolanda Woodbridge received the District Governor's Citation for her efforts on behalf of the Group Study Exchange and the District Newsletter.  Chris Morrison received the Distinguished Service Citation as District Annual Giving Chair.  As of March 31, 2012 he had achieved 98% of the District's Annual Programs Fund Goals and our district is ranked 6th in the world in total giving.  Rolf Frankfurter was recognized for his unselfish Service Above Self for the Club and the Community.  Deena Bell-Llewellyn received Service Above Self recognition for leading the District with Community Service activities.  Abe Horowitz was recognized for his exceptional service to The Rotary Foundation representing the District.  In addition, President Debbie brought home the 2011-2012 Change Maker Award which was given to her (and she says she's keeping it!) as recognition for our EXCEPTIONAL CLUB!!!  Great work everyone!  You've made us proud!!

City of Coral Gables

April Employee of the Month

 

Finance Director Diana Gomez took great pleasure in introducing us to Elsa de Bruzos Fuentes, the April Employee of the Month.  Elsa has been a dedicated member of the team in the Finance Department for 22 years.  Ms. Gomez said that Elsa was her most valuable asset when she first came to the department a few years ago.  She does whatever it takes to get the job done and works hard for the citizens of Coral Gables.  Congratulations Elsa.  Keep up the great work!  

  
Marie Pappas  - Honorary Coral Gables Rotarian

We were saddened by the loss of our friend and Rotarian Ted Pappas last July.  He was one of our most memorable people.  But nobody misses him quite as much as his wife Marie. She channels him whenever possible!

Membership Chair Greg Martini reached out the Marie, as a member of the family of Rotary, and asked her to join us as an Honorary Member of our Club.  Today, Marie officially became an honorary Coral Gables Rotarian.  So expect to see her at meetings, functions, parties and community service projects in the coming months and years.    We're looking forward to getting to know Marie better.  Welcome to Rotary.  We're glad you're here.

Perfect Attendance Abounds!

President Debbie and President-Elect Walter rewarded each other today for their  Perfect Attendance.  Really!  Who's going to give the pin to the President if not the President-Elect?  And vice verse.  

Congratulations to Debbie who celebrates seven years of perfect attendance on April 14 and to Walter with eight years on April 22.  See the advantage of being in leadership?  You're everywhere, all the time, and it all counts towards your Club Service.  Between them it's 15 years.  Thanks for all that you do!



Moving into the sign of Taurus the Bull we're ready for people who are warmhearted, loving, determined, possessive and a little inflexible.  Say Happy Birthday to Patrick Morris today, Diane Thurston tomorrow, Rosendo Castillo on the 22nd, Bonnie Blaire AND Kelly Sastre on the 24th.  


In addition to her honor from Rotary International, Noelle Galperin has yet another thing to celebrate.  She's been a Rotarian in our Club for five years today!  Happy Anniversary to a great Rotarian!

Introduction of Guests & Visitors

by Dick Bullman Jr.

Jerry Santeiro was told that he needed to be here and ready to fill in for Dick this week.  He promised that he'd do his best to fill the empty shoes.  He lucked out - we only had a few guests.  Sally B. brought Bram Fiebelkorn to the meeting today.  Bram is a member of Coral Gables Rotaract Club and a former Ambassadorial Scholar.  Chris Tyson was happy as always to be accompanied today by both of his lovely daughters, Natalie from Massachusetts and Ellen from Switzerland.  Ana Fournaris introduced us to Christina Pappas.  Thanks for coming.  We hope you come back again soon.

Happy $$$$

Randy was here again today and he does manage to make Scholarship dollars Groh.  He was really happy to see his former neighbor Marie Pappas at the Club.  It brought back warm thoughts about Ted and a bag of tootsie rolls.  Bill Quesenberry was happy that his Barbershop Quartet Chorus placed 2nd in the State competition.  If you'd like to hire four of them to serenade your mom on Mother's Day, give him a call.  He paid a little more money to tell us about a Swedish fellow that he went sailing with at Shake-A-Leg.  He had no arms!  And he was amazing.  He even was able to drive a car.  Walter Alvarez  is happy that his Board will have two really fine people - President-Elect Donald Trombly and Past President Debbie Swain.  He was also happy to announce that his youngest son has been acepted in the FSU Theater Program - he's going to have a Thespian in the house!  Steven Spann wasn't particularly happy - more like nervous.  His wife is off to New York for the weekend and he's staying here to take care of their two children ... Pat Morris is happy that today is his Birthday; that FCATS are oer for his nine year old and that the YMCA is moving forward with their big gala on June 19th.  Carlos Ruiz is really happy to see Bill Beckham here today.  He's also really happy that Sunday is Earthfet and then it will be done!  Bill Beckham wanted to thank everyone in the Club for their support since his son's accident.  He especially wanted to reotnize Rick and Margarita Tonkinson for their help and assistance and Bill Quesenberry for all that he's done with Woody at Shake-A-Leg.  The Woody Foundation is now raising money for the Buoniconti Fund so please come out and join us on May 17th.  We've been missing Dick Golden ... so Felix Pardo made an attempt to fill the void today - no comment!  Happiness pays so keep on smiling!

Working Rotarians - April 19, 2012

Greeter - Steven Spann & Rolf Frankfurter

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Bill Quesenberry

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meeting - Gene Mariutto

Invocation - Rodney Langer

Pledge - Aaron Glasser

Singer - Bill Quesenberry

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Jerry Santiero

Given to - Allan Heard & Steve Magenheimer

Pin Drawing Gift - Joan Reitsma

Pin Drawing Winner - Deena Bell

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns

50/50 Winner - David Mitchell

4 Way Test - Carlos Bolado

Today's Program

Marc Buoniconti introduced us to the Marina Project at Matheson Hammock Park.  It is something that he has wanted to do since he was a kid.  Growing up here he used to see all the boats on trailers (as many as 500 a weekend) stacked up along Old Cutler Road, waiting their turn to cast off fron the boat ramps at Matheson.  It always seemed that a good solution would be a boat storage facility right there by the ramp, especially since they only have 200 wet slips for boats at the marina.  

The proposed project uses only one acre of the 630 acres that make up the man-made park.  Is it to be a masory building, 45 feet high, that sits completely on the existing parking lot at the marina.  It does not intrude into the mangroves at all.  They have cleared DERM, did two traffic studies, a parking study  and there was a public hearing.  On July 31, 2011 the project received approval from Miami-Dade County after the second reading.  It is now being presented to the City of Coral Gables for their input, recommendations, approval and permits.

The project has generated a lot of controversy.  Marc and his people have done everything possible to address everyone's concerns and solve the problems that have been forecasted.  The building is designed to blend right into the park - they hired a new architect who's using textured concrete and ivy to disguise the building completely.  It's actually a very attractive addition to the water front.  It will be conpletely green, recyclng not only all the oil that's currently dripping into the mangroves but also recycling all of the soapy water that's used to wash the boats before storage.  They've even got special mufflers for the fork lifts to minimize the noise they make.  

Marc is confident that they will get their approval from the City of Coral Gables despite all the fallacies that are circulating around about it.  He's received letters of support from all of the homeowners organizations in the neighborhood.  So stay tuned!

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  State District Attorney  Katherine Fernandez-Rudle.

Thought of the Week

by Sally B.

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed.  

If you do read the newspaper you are misinformed."

Mark Twain

Scene Scenes

See you next week.

Same time, same place.

Same great bunch of Rotarians!