January 8, 2008
OPENING
President Dick Short welcomed everyone to 2008 and asked Kevin Forkner to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Bruce Johnson giving thanks for our Great Country, its leaders and our defenders, both overseas and the first responders here at home, and the freedoms we enjoy.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Bruce Johnson shared the Thought for the Day comes from an Irist toast: “In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want.”
PROGRAMS IN THE WEEKS AHEAD!
January 15, 2005 - Brett Keteles, Commander Law Enforcement Services Division for Alameda County Sheriff's Office
January 22, 2005 - Dealing with Disability - Rick Rosefield
January 29, 2008 - Photography- Jan Hagen - film vs. digital
SONG BY CETA
Ceta led us into 2008 with a rousing rendition of “Hail, Hail, The Gangs All Here.”
RECOGNITIONS
$100 Sal Tedesco - birthday and new car (the car story is something you need to ask him about)
$ 60 Bruce Johnson - 60th birthday
$ 60-x Jim Fitzpatrick - ___ birthday (but “I am not as old as Bruce.”)
$ 52 KJ to the scholarship fund
$ unk Bob Crossett - great trip
$ 20 Mary Caldwell from Hayward Rotary (inviting everyone to Hayward Rotary on Monday to hear speaker on Down’s Syndrome)
GUESTS
President-elect Roland W
illiams
introduced our guests today: Hayward Rotarian Mary Caldwell;
prospective member Ray Ward; Sylvia Wodyka (Mark’s Bride of
three years!), Brandon Hoge, ToddSteffan and Matt Weisner from
Los Posita College (our speakers); and Erika Solanski,
Distinguished Student.
HELLO SONG
To celebrate the new year, Mr. Tedesco led us in the 2008th verse of the Hello Song.
DISTINGUISHED STUDENT
We honored Erika Solanski, an outstanding student from Castro Valley High School for Distinguished Student Recognition. After hearing Erika’s accomplishments and various activities, everyone was wondering how she was able to find time to go to school, taking Honors and Advanced Placement classes, and earning a 4.2 grade
class=Section2>point average on a 4.0 scale!
BILL NOTT, OUR LATEST RED BADGE MEMBER
Dwight Perry presented Bill Nott with his Red Badge . . . Bill has been so faithful and it is about time we got him officially on board!
DING-A-LINGERS FOR THE SALVATION ARMY
President Short thanked Sal Tedesco who thanked all who took turns ringing the bell on December 14 at Lucky’s . . . great fellowship . . . with a purpose! (Thanks, Mr. Tedesco, for your efforts!)
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY
Mark Poniatowski, Chair of the Children's Christmas Party, thanked everyone who participated in the December 18 party . . . our guests numbered close to 60 with approximately 45 children in attendance and a lot of very grateful parents. (Thanks, Mark, for all of your efforts!)
CV ROTARY BBQ
Our annual bbq fundraiser will be Saturday, March 8, at Transfiguration Church. More information to follow.
CHILI COOKOFF 2008
The Castro Valley Rotary Club will host the 2008 Chili Cookoff at Rowell Ranch on Friday, May 9. More information to follow.
DR. DARRELL SPEAKS
Dr. Darrell informed and reminded us about two great opportunities that are available for us. Check out the February 8 Valentini event at www.eastbaycharityball.org . . . he also wanted to remind us about his brother's projects in Sierra Leone . . . check them out at cipsierraleone.blogspot.com . . . thanks!
PROGRAM
Mark Wodyka introduced his Bride of three years, Sylvia Rodrigues-Wodyka, who introduced Todd Steffan, Brandon Hoge and Matt Weisner, all from Los Positas College speaking on the topic: “Veterans First Program.” Our speakers shared the podium as they shared every aspect of what it is like to come out of the service and get plugged into the educational system. We are blessed that Los Positas is one of the few colleges nation-wide with the extensive program it has and to have individuals like Sylvia and Todd taking such good care of our veterans, such as Brandon and Matt. The stories told by Brandon and Matt illustrated the challenges our veterans face. The following slide show does an outstanding job of sharing the program and its challenges. Sylvia and Todd challenged our Club to become partners and match the $1000 contribution from Livermore Rotary (100% of all donations will go to the veterans – 100%). One key thing to remember is that the GI Bill of today is not the GI Bill of when many of the rest of us served. Thank you, Sylvia and Todd, for your vision and passion! For more information, go to http://www.laspositascollege.edu . . . and use the search word “veteran.”
THE HUNT FOR THE CORRECT MARBLE
Mr. Tedesco’s tic
ket
was pulled and with $82 and 16 marbles in the sack, reached in
and won . . . . $82.00 . . . Congratulations!
FUTURE PROGRAMS
January 15, 2005 - Brett Keteles, Commander Law Enforcement Services Division for Alameda County Sheriff's Office
January 22, 2005 - Dealing with Disability - Rick Rosefield
January 29, 2008 - Photography- Jan Hagen - film vs. digital
See you next week!
