The Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise

Volume VII, Issue 8 — August 29, 2007

Club President 2007-2008: Lori Breyer

Editor: Dick Johnson

editor@arcatasunrise.org

Business Spotlight

Wendy Madsen wants you to visit Edge Wireless, which is in our Business Spotlight this week. If you're looking for a smartphone, a PDA, or a basic cellphone, she promises that the friendly folks at Edge can help.

On the other hand, if you are just looking for the Official Business Spotlight Clipboard and this week's Trivia Question, you'll find them at the Greeting Station to your left as you enter. But be sure to check things out while you're there! 

3543 Broadway
Eureka, CA 95503

Howard Stauffer's World Community Services Committee is very active, indeed. He reported that the group has embraced a new project. When Howard was touring Laos recently, his local guide told him of a nearby village that needs a school. Howard gained commitments from the Arcata and Eureka Rotary Clubs for support, and between us, we have pledged $10,000 over two years. Howard said that we are all invited to the opening of the school next year. The committee has four other projects on the burners - support for the Rotary Elementary School of Mongkol Borei in Cambodia (website), a fluoridation effort in Mexico headed by our own Dr. Harry Johnson, providing medical and dental supplies for a clinic in Colombia, and "the last round" of funding for the Malawi School - this grant for roof repairs. Soon after, Bruce LeBel got up to remind us that we are lucky to have Howard directing our international activities, which led to a well-deserved round of applause.

Just a reminder - the call is out for Group Study Exchange Team Members to travel to Nigeria this spring. Candidates should be between 25 and 40 years of age, and there are no restrictions as to profession. Contact Jacqueline Debets if you know of someone who would be interested.

November is not that far away, so it's time to begin thinking about the role you want to play in this year's Taste of the Holidays. If you have a preference, contact TOTH Chair Wendy Madsen. Otherwise, be prepared to be drafted. More information to follow.

Amy Bohner told us that there will be a fundraiser for Jessiah Class on Saturday, September 8th, at the Bayside Grange. Jessiah is a four-year-old who needs a kidney transplant. The good news is that his cousin plans to donate a kidney, but the bad news is the expense. Jessiah's sister is hosting the event (click here to see her message). If you can't make it, please consider making a contribution.

 Another fundraiser to put on your calendar is Oysters & Ale, which will take place Friday, September 14th, at Woodley Island Marina. Debi Farber-Bush, who works with Bryan Plumley at Edward Jones Financial Services told us about this one. The proceeds will support the effort to provide free wi-fi access at the Humboldt County Library. In addition to the seafood and suds, there will be a live auction and entertainment by NightHawk. Tickets are $30 per person, and you must be 21 or older to participate. For more information or for tickets, contact Debi at 826-6511.

On Friday, September 28th, our Club will gather for dinner at the Steelhead Lodge in Klamath for dinner. Spouses are welcome to the fellowship event, and you don't even have to drive! The Timber Ridge bus will be available to transport you up Highway 101 (and possibly back, as well). More details will follow, but we do know that the bus will pull out of Arcata at about 5:30 pm, and dinner will start at 7:00.

Congratulations to Guy Joy and Amy Bohner, who received their Coveted Blue Badges last Friday. Both are very active Sunrisers, and we are pleased to have them in our Club.

Brian and Diana Stephens celebrated their anniversary on August 11th.  Well, they actually celebrated on the 12th, since they were at an event the night before. But they enjoyed dinner and a movie.

Visiting Rotarian Marty Lay joined us last Friday, and (as luck would have it) he has been married to Sunriser Extraordinaire Terri Clark for 25 years, effective August 21st. Terri noted that "I was 14 when we got married". Their anniversary dinner at the Sunset Grill followed a festive round of union negotiations. But martinis were involved, and they both had a good, relaxing time.

And before she stepped down, Wendy zinged Bob, saying that he had left early a few meetings ago, leaving his wife Susan to sub for him at the piano as we sang "Happy Birthday". Yes, Sue did an excellent job, but that's not the point ... the point is that it cost Bob twenty bucks.

Bob then asked Brian Stephens to discuss his recent Summer Tour, which was spent playing golf and visiting colleges with his son. No scores were posted, but after visits to the University of Utah, U of Montana, Montana State, and others, they decided on the University of Wyoming. I don't have information on the required GPA nor the Course Rating.

Michael Boreing told us about his annual "How I Got This Way" trip to rural Eastern Colorado. He did a make up at the Lamar Rotary Club, which he described as "a singing club". The 90-year-old woman plays the piano is the mother of one of Michael's classmates, and she wails on the keys as they sing out of the Rotary Songbook. (If you're a newer member, ask a Charter Member about our club's songbooks.) Michael performed at a big reunion in the area, but I don't know whether he took along the nonagenarian as his accompanist.

Bob asked Susan Janssen if she was ready for the big party happening later that day. HealthSport invited the 450 members who have been with the club from its beginning 15 years ago to a big party. I hope they went easy on the smoothies - those things can really sneak up on you!

Bob had visual aids ready for the next recognition. He said that next season, the series "Lost" will feature two new characters - Bob Moore and Bryan Reeser. Bob Moore explained that the two missed last week's meeting because they went for a run and "we got lost in the Community Forest". Bob Johnson: "But eventually, you found your way out." Bryan Reeser: "I found our way out!" Bob Moore: "George [Cavinta] was with us, but he's still ..."

Exchange Student Nick Falor Returns, Discusses Mannheim, Germany

With a population of 307,640, Mannheim is the second-largest city in the state of Baden-Württemberg. It is located in Germany's southeast. One of its key landmarks is the Wasserturn (Water Tower). located in the city's center.

Mannheim has the largest population of American soldiers outside of the United States, and it is the home of BASF, a large chemical and plastics manufacturer. It also has the Fernsehturm, a television tower that looks over the Luisenpark, "one of the most beautiful parks in Europe". Nick said that "there are street vendors all over", and he showed a photo of a pretzel cart.

Nick's adventure started with a crash course in German, but "it didn't help that much". His first host family spoke mostly English with him, and although his second hosts spoke German, it was mostly dialect - not High German.

He discussed some of the customs he encountered, such as Fasching, also known as Fastnacht or Karneval. The differing names come from different regions of the country, but whatever it is called, it corresponds to what we know of as Mardi Gras. It's a time when people "dress up in outrageous costumes to scare away the winter". At Christmas. Germans leave a shoe outside their door, and St. Nicholas fills it with goodies.

Nick was asked whether his impression of Europe and of Germany has changed as a result of his visit. He said that he was able to see more similarities between our culture and theirs than he expected. Everything seemed different at first, but he came to realize that the differences were small and not very significant.