I cannot think of a better way to start today’s meeting than noticing that our Giuseppe from Lynwood is back! After taking a short break to mend his broken heart he made it to the meeting with a big smile on his face and looking great. Welcome back!

The rest of the beginning of today’s meeting went pretty much as usual, small groups gathered to talk about whatever they talk about, Baaab waiting for the bell, Snappy taking the grapes, and the raffle ticket peddlers an attorney and a financial advisor mind you, still trying to figure out the “ticket math”. A ticket a Dollar simple enough; two tickets for Two Dollars makes sense but Two Dollars buys three tickets; Five tickets cost you three Dollars however Five Dollars buys eight tickets, no wonder they were so confused.

Bell rings, Baaab runs for the food, we get frostbite from the cutlery, the grapes are gone, but still plenty of “Grange Eggs” (not to be mistaken for Benedict or Florentine eggs) left for the rest of us.

Bell rings again and it is now time for the Flag Salute, a short but meaningful prayer, and then it is our upcoming president elect Alan turn who leads us into I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing, and in case you miss it log on to http://www.geocities.com/holidaysfun/teachworld.html for a very nice version of the same song. Speaking of the president-elect, some of us at the table thought that the election must have taken place either in Michigan or Florida because none of us remembered it.

 
Prez poses with State Department of Ecology reps

President Rick asked Burke to introduce today’s speakers -- Matt Kwartin and John Dillon who took turns to talk about emissions, the kind that hurt the environment. 55% of the pollution in our state comes from mobile sources, they spoke about miles per dollar, the pros and cons of alternative powered vehicles, the savings in turning engines off while waiting – idling gets you nowhere, recommended us to take the bus, carpool and drive less and left us with some useful information and informational resources to explore. What we put in the air today our grandchildren will end up breathing. At the end of the presentation Matt and John took a number of questions from our membership.

 
Prez Rick, Kelly Becker and Roger Martindill with hefty check!

President Rick then invited our own very favorite Rotary guest Roger Martindill and program director Kelly Becker from the Bellevue Club to accept a $2,500 check for Eastside Domestic Violence. Then it was Ted Warren’s turn to briefly talk to us about his wife’s Amanda project “Come on let’s Grow” an art contest to benefit 21 Acres.

The Sergeant wasted no time to impose new fines. Joe, Roger and Dave were assessed a co-pay as if their deductible was not enough, and this reporter an emissions tax? Good thing he had no time left otherwise we would have all been slapped a recession tax.

The sergeant now transformed into a nice guy asked for volunteers to go out and solicit wine for our charity event. He should have done the asking first and the fining last.

Other matters of significance at the meeting: 

Thinking of Bob Maynard and wishing him a speedy recovery 

     Announcements:

Concert on April 6 followed by a catered by Dave social, tickets are still available.

Blues in the Schools at 2:30 p.m. March 25 at Hollywood Hills school.

District Conference May 16 – 18.

International Convention in LA June 15 – 18.

Earth Day, planting day at Molbak’s. $50 buys a vine with your name on it. The vine we plant today our grandchildren will harvest! 

     Appointments: 

Becky Clark to lead the live auction items display. 

     At the time of this writing the DOW is up 420, the rest is history, and until next time I bid you Adios.

                                                                                 - - - Jorge Gonzalez