Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

January 31, 2002

"Let's Roll"

George W. Bush, 43rd President

of the United States of America

Steve, decked out as the ambassador of a banana republic, opened the meeting with his traditional 'Welcome', remarking how cold it was. He asked us to turn our thoughts to Mark Carroll, father of Maura, a Peace Corps volunteer, who addressed the club on January 3rd. Mark is fighting cancer. With a daughter such as Maura, he must be one terrific guy!

We recited the pledge and Steve introduced the guests. They included:

Cliff Hathaway

Jim Costello

Joy Mathis

Puifai

Ken Fusco

Kay Ulwelling

Mark Dold

Karen Mahnke

Glenn Rodey

Bart Cross

Ray Vigil

Bill Black

Steve, with an eye for fashion, asked Nancy to 'model' the official Snowdown themed t-shirt and she blushed in the process.

Our President stated that our Fireside Chats have risen to a new level. He thanked the organizers and food hosts, Jill and Kevin Bruce, Jeannie Wheeldon and Linda and Tom Brossia for opening their house to over 40 current and prospective club members. Jill and Jeannie each received a nice bunch of flowers and Linda received a beautiful centerpiece at Saturday night's affair.

At the 'Chat', committee chairs, board members or their representatives presented a review of Rotary's missions and objectives and an update on what each group was doing now. President Elect Jeff Brown took many of the group down memory lane, with a historical look at the club and it's accomplishments. Former President and Charter Member, Dick Pearson added to Jeff's comments, with unique insights as an active club member for over 20 years.

Steve commented about our great President of the United States, George W. Bush, indicating that he was inspired by his State of the Union Address. To read the text of his speech, go to http://europe.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/01/29/bush.speech.txt/.

In that vein, Steve spoke about the state of our club. We are "active, healthy, strong and gaining...", according to the boss. The Rotary Park (amphitheatre) will be dedicated in the spring, we are well on our way to meeting RI President Richard King's challenge of becoming a Distinguished Club, the coffers contain over $45k and membership is growing.

Steve is so into his role as President that he says he has Rotary dreams. His 'dream girl' and Chair of the Fun Committee solicited names for our float to be in the Snowdown parade. To stimulate ideas, she offered 'Wheel Not Tire'.

Steve O. told us that he has received great support in the efforts to permanently mount our Rotary wheel on a trailer. Mountain Bike Specialists donates a stand for the bike, which Steve R. graciously donated. Float decoration is Friday, February 1st, starting at 12:00 Noon at Building Specialties. Steve suggested that members costumed appropriately, could accompany the float, with the men appearing to 'carry' it.

Outfits are available from the Humane Society and Paulette had several to loan for the event. Len G. suggested that a certain financial institution on Main should open it's doors to Rotarians seeking refuge from the cold and re-hydration.

Steve W. asked Dick Pearson to tell us how he, as a past president, dealt with attendance requirements. As an example, if a member missed 4 consecutive meetings or let attendance fall below 60%, he sent them a letter reminding them of their obligations etc. In that regard, 'W' told us that assisting with float decoration or walking the parade with the float qualify as meeting make-ups.

According to Laurie, Roy is now able to sit up, after weeks of being face-down as part of his recovery from eye surgery. Speaking to Roy this morning, his Doctor says that he developed a hole in the macula, the place on the back of the eye where the optic nerve connects. The doc withdrew some fluid and injects a special gas, after which he must remain face down to encourage healing. He still faces another surgery for a cataract and then new glasses. Roy's number is 247-0397.

Steve asked Jill, Mike Matheson and Jim Whitley to come to the podium. As Jim's sponsor, Mike introduced him as our newest member. Jim is an attorney, originally from NM, with roots that go way back in the community. Jim said that he appreciates being invited to join the club and commented that we have a good reputation as a group. He is looking forward to serving and enjoying the fellowship.

Continuing with the theme 'Let's go bananas" (the term adopted for our membership drive in case you'd forgotten), Mike and Jim hung the ceremonial fruit on the banana tree. Jill presented Jim with pin, club logo attire, membership documents, with the club offering another welcome of warm applause.

Steve asked John M. to the podium, presenting him with a check for $40.00 to advertise his business for the month of February in the club bulletin. John indicated that ads will commence with next week's bulletin, subject to a steep learning curve. He also indicated that ad monies would be dedicated to the Polio Plus efforts.

Then, John M. had the pleasure to introduce Mr. Scott Mathis, High Noon Rotarian and Director of Clinical Affairs of Quetzal Biomedical, as the day's speaker. In answer to Steve W.'s questions, 'what is a Quetzal?', please refer to http://www.travellog.com/guatemala/quetzal.html

Quetzal Biomedical grew out of Quetzal Computational Associates, based here in Durango. Founded by Dr. John Prentice, Dr. Mary Fuka and Dr. John Schmidt, Quetzal is working to develop an implantable medical device to treat the symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF).

Scott spent over 30 years in medical sales and marketing with the industry leaders, Medtronic, Intermedics and Guidant and participated as a 'bio-engineer' consultant in over 15,000 device implants. He has administered numerous FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulated medical device studies and been a volunteer with the American Heart Association (AHA) (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000), is on the board of the San Juan Mountains Association, serves on the Field Operations Committee for the four state Desert Mountain Affiliate of the AHA and, along with his wife Joy, serves on ACME, a citizens group dedicated to the support and availability of expanded health care services in the regions.

CHF, a collection of conditions, is diagnosed in about 550,000 new patients a year in the U.S.A., with over $22 billion spent annually in its treatment. At least 58 million people in the U.S. have some for of cardiovascular disease, the number one killer and responsible for almost 1/2 of all deaths!

Quetzal's goal is to develop disruptive technology for an implantable device to treat the symptoms of CHF in a revolutionary manner. With a device similar to a pacemaker and an entirely new lead (the 'wire' that delivers the therapeutic electrical stimulation to the heart), Quetzal will use it's proprietary Shape-Pacing (electrical stimulation) to optimize the function of the diseased heart, increasing ejection fraction (the output of the left ventricle) by changing the way the heart beats and the efficiency of each contraction.

When the Quetzal product reaches the market, either through it's introduction by the company or another that may acquire the technology, the result will mean the resumption of many activities of daily living and a significant improvement in the quality of life.

Scott recognized Sam Stites for his contribution at an early research stage, in the form of certain flyfishing knots to help with the assembly of prototype leads using wires the size of human hairs. Further, he indicated that several HN Rotarians had participated in the 'angel round' of financing.

Quetzal continues to attract 'bridge' financing to support research and product development, to increase the Intellectual Property Estate (legal-speak for patents), while having attracted over $2 million to date. $12 - $15 million in additional funding is required to support experiments and trials of various kinds. Several members of the Quetzal team are in pursuit of the venture capital necessary for the next steps.

Scott took questions and was thanked by Steve with the revered speakers mug and comments about how fortunate we are to have Quetzal and it's staff of accomplished professionals in Durango.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Rotary Park (amphitheatre) dedication is set for Thursday, June 20th. It will be a club meeting.

February 14th, Valentine's Day. District Governor, Durango's own Mr. Bill Tarpley and his wife Dorothy will attend our meeting.

Next week's meeting is down stairs.

Next weeks speaker is Tina Beekmann, John's better half. She will address the club on her responsibilities in the criminal justice system.

She earned a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice and completed the Colorado Institute of Law Enforcement Training, receiving the Colorado Peace Officer Standards Training Certification. She has additional training in Gang Awareness, Sex Offender Awareness and Robbery Awareness.

Her current duties include:

Supervise and Manage a Caseload of Parolees, Transitional offenders and Intensive Supervision of offenders placed in the community following their institutional placement.

Develop plans for the offender which involve treatment needs, employment, educational/vocational, and residential.

Monitor the progress of the Offender by conducting home, office and employment contacts.

Monitoring Youthful Offenders sentenced to the YOS program.

Tina has been with the State of Colorado Since June, 1992.

Clyde Church may still have tickets to the Snowdown Ball.

Ted Robson read a letter fro the Durango HS hockey club coach, thanking us for our contribution toward their uniforms.

Steve W. indicated that he had signed applications for two CAP grants.

With nothing more for the good of Rotary and the ad hoc humor club having nothing to offer, the meeting was adjourned.

Upcoming Events:

2/1: Snowdown float decoration and Parade

2/7: Tina Beekman

2/14: Valentines Day. District Governor Bill Tarpley and his bride Dorothy

2/21: Rick O'Block - Hospital bio-terrorism

2/28: BUSINESS MEETING - No program or program to be arranged

3/7: Scott Stewart - Durango MTN

3/14: Ward Holmes - Web site

3/21: John Gamble and city councilmen

3/28: BUSINESS MEETING - no program or program to be arranged

4/4: Blue grass

4/11: John Piel, Durango Herald columnist

4/18: Hospice / Michelle Appenzeller

4/25: BUSINESS MEETING - or program to be arranged

5/2: no meeting - MEXICAN FOOD FIESTA

5/9:

5/16:

5/23:

5/30: BUSINESS MEETING - or program to be arranged

6/6:

6/13:

6/20

John E. Marshall

Mountain Structures

3005 County Road 207

Durango, CO 81301

970-259-6248 p

970-259-4498 f