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Program for Friday November 14, 2003

Deepflight.com

Graham Hawks having finished his new underwater vehicle, is planning to purchase the entire project from the investment group and will explain what his plans are for the future.

Door Duty: Jim Bates and Charles Belcher

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Program for Friday November 21, 2003

Precious Gems

Berry Sue King owner of "Kings Ransom" educates about gemstones.

Door Duty: Jim Cannon and Josh Genser

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Program of November 7, 2003

Cornell Green, Peres School

Program Chair Capt. Mark Howe introduced Cornell Green "Outreach Consultant" of Peres Elementary School. Mr. Green, who is a Peres alumnus, described his duties as something of a modern day truant officer combined with motivational counseling and program administration. Besides calling on 6 to 8 homes of under attending students, Green operates four motivational programs:
The Morning Assembly - A 20 minute, first thing, language acquisition & building drill and response program for all 1st through 3rd graders. The program features Mr. Green's high energy attention getting leadership focused on English vocabulary recognition, pronunciation and understanding. Dr. Scott, Peres Principal recognizes the program as a major contributor to helping Peres students acquire 900-1,000 new words a year. Dr. Scott noted that the Assembly is very popular with Peres parents, many of whom are also second language learners. Dr. Scott also believes the Assembly was one of the reasons that Peres improved 55 points in the 2002-03 Academic Performance Index (API).
The Game Room - Mr. Green said this campus venue provides an alternative for his "Frequent Fighters Club" and their too often recess combat. The Game Room provides supervised learning as well as games.
Lunch Tutors - It is what it sounds like, except that the tutors are all Peres sixth graders who provide tutoring for younger students.
The Attendance Dance - Recognizing that his off campus home visits are the negative side of attendance management, Mr. Green organized a monthly dance for students with perfect monthly attendance. The program has been very well received by the students and has succeeded in provided many students with the additional motivation needed to improve their attendance. Unfortunately the grant that paid for the additional adult supervision needed at the dances was cut this year. The school is organizing a benefit fundraiser, tentatively scheduled for January 18th, in an effort to raise funds to restart this program. More information about the benefit is available through Mr. Green at the school.

Dr. Scott, then took the opportunity to tell the club of one additional activity that she felt made a material improvement in the attitude and participation of students and families at Peres. That event is the Bedtime Story Hour, currently scheduled to happen November 19th (volunteers still needed). Last year's Story Hour, which includes a hot dog dinner, brought 650 parents and students to the campus. This was unprecedented in Peres history and became a news item on local TV as it is tangible evidence of local school making material improvement in its community outreach effort. Dr. Scott is confident that high participation and consequential parent/student school identity will continue with this year's event. Prez Stoney thanked Mr. Green and Dr. Scott for their presentation and them members responded with applause.

International Project
Director George Egan has mailed a description of this year's International Project with a donation request to all club members. "The Children of Deva" project will build a new trade school in Deva, Hungary. Please write a check for the maximum donation and mail it back to George before 12/31/03. 100% of the monies collected will go directly to the project.

Upcoming Speakers
11/28/03 No Meeting
12/05/03 Holiday Auction and Club Elections

Important Dates
11/19/03 Peres Bedtime Story Night
11/28/03 No Meeting. Happy Turkey!
12/03/03 Board Meeting - Pt. Richmond
12/05/03 Holiday Auction and Club Elections
12/11/03 Holiday Party at Mira Vista CC
01/25/04 Annual Reno Train Trip
02/20/04 Help celebrate Rotary's 99th B'day
06/04/04 D-Day meeting on The Red Oak Victory

Door Duty Reminder

11/28/03 No Meeting
12/05/03 Dick King and Ken Leverich
12/12/03 Theodore Abreu and Charles Wong
12/19/03 Richard Alexander Father Nick

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Last Week
Prez Stoney began the meeting with a silent prayer for peace and freedom, followed by the Pledge of Alliance and a thought for the day from Moss Hart. However al this was eclipsed by Stoney's announcement that November 3rd was Warner's birthday. Acknowledging that this is true and providing little additional information, Warner did note that the Rhine river in his homeland Germany froze over the year he was born.

Visiting Rotarians

Guests
Dr. Herb introduced his guest Robert Dabney who attended college in Ohio with Prez Stoney.

Sunshine Report
David K. had no sunshine report, because he wasn't here. Prez Stoney told the members that Gloria Johnston's back surgery at Alta Bates was successful and she was moved to Herrick Hospital for recovery and recuperation which is gong to take, "awhile". Gloria is not yet receiving visitors, but phone calls and cards are appropriate. David Ninomiya is doing well after his bone marrow transplant at Long Hospital at UCSF. He is in isolation but receiving healthy visitors who don't mind wearing surgical masks. Shortly he will move to an apartment in the City, continuing his isolation for several more weeks.

Announcements
Prez Stoney announced a "new fun raising" and fund raising event for the club, "Holiday Party 2003!" The party, December 11th at the Mira Vista CC will be the fun raising and the $150/couple ticket price will be the fund raising.The evening will include MVCC's premium supper package, music, dancing, many as yet unnamed surprises. Prez Stoney says anything less than100% member participation will make him feel bad, and we don't want to do that. Stoney promised to bill each member whether they attend or not. John Nicol with his trademark enthusiasm for all things party and Rotary (see "& Etc." below) bought the first ticket on the spot, and Prez Stoney didn't even ask him if he wanted fries with that ticket.Dr. Herb announced that he and the Mrs. would be leaving for Mexico as part of the wheel chair delivery delegation representing the Wheel Chair Foundation and the Rotary Club of Cupertino. They will be delivering 840 wheelchairs to needy individuals in Texcoco de Gante. Members are encouraged to support the effort with a $75.00 contribution (the cost of one chair) made payable to the Rotary Foundation and given to Dr. Herb or mailed to; "Its Uenaka, Cupertino Rotary", 1138 South De Anza Blvd., San Jose CA 95129. Dan E. Recognized Paul Hodgen's yeoman's effort on the club's Peres Elementary support effort especially the sponsorship program which;
Provided $100 for "whatever's needed" to each Peres teacher and provided additional cash to each teachers aid/classroom assistant. Dan noted that pledge reminders would be mailed out for those who haven't completed their pledge. Dan then passed out certificates to all those who supported the sponsorship program. Since this was more than half the members present, efforts to photograph the supporting members were abandoned. Dan's presentation concluded with rousing applause for the good works at Peres spearheaded by both Paul and Dan. Jim Beaver didn't announce it, but the club Holiday Auction is coming up December 5th. Remember to come. Remember your spouse &/or significant other and remember to call up Jim with donations of those priceless objects/services that will help the club raise funds for its good works

Happy/Sad $$
Judy K. had Happy $$ for the good feelings and successful participation in her recent 45th college class reunion in Illinois. Dr. Herb had $5 Happy Dollars for his recent visit with his son and grandchildren on the East Coast, and, anticipation of his pending delivery trip to Mexico on behalf of the Wheelchair Foundation (see Announcements).
Jim Young had a Happy $5 for great stories from the club's past (see "& Etc." below).

Raffle
There was $558 in the kitty. Prez Stoney asked Mr. Green to pick a name, George Egan (again) as the rafflee. George picked a white ball. Prez. Stoney rang the bell and the meeting was adjourned.

& Etc.
Two un-named members were recounting the club's great history in the context of the up-coming Reno Train Trip. Noting the past many decades of participation, these members recounted how on one trip they became disillusioned with the night life at the Nugget. They got a-hankering for the wide open spaces of Nevada, and, with a couple of car loads of compatriots, headed out to a now defunct institution know as the Mustang Ranch. At this point the details of the excursion get too numerous to mention, except for one Walter Helms, then Superintendent of the RUSD and club President, "…who was under the front porch steps…taking notes for future disciplinary action and fines." One can only speculate on whether this oral history of club activities past, is face, horse feathers, or some other part of a horse's anatomy, or maybe a Mustang's. But don't forget the up coming Reno Train Trip.

Your Acting Editor,
Jim Young

Where to Make Up
San Rafael   Monday       12:15 Seafood Peddler
Albany        Tuesday       12:30 Mira Vista G&CC
El Sobrante Tuesday       12:15 Joe's of El Sobrante
Berkeley     Wednesday 12:15 His Lordships
Hercules     Wednesday   7:15 am Hercules Senior Center
San Pablo   Wednesday 12:15 San Pablo Casino
El Cerrito    Thursday       12:15 Mira Vista G&CC
Pinole         Thursday      12:30 Outback Steak House