High Noon Rotary Club of Durango

District 5470

Club 1161

Meet at Doubletree Hotel

Time: 12:00 Noon

Thursdays

Newsletter: May 14, 2009

Program May 21, 2009: Kevin Britz, Director of Southwest Studies, FLC

Fellow Rotarians:

• Tami led the pledge and Samantha Gallant introduced her guest, Gayle Murphy, manager of the OB/GYN clinic whose father was a Rotarian. Rick Routh introduced 50% of the program, Craig Larson, County Assessor. Ward Holmes introduced Bob Smart recently of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) who is moving to Durango, perhaps to consult on the infamous CDOT bridge to nowhere south of town (just kidding). Bryan Myers introduced visiting Rotarian, Chris Powder, from the 100 Club in Phoenix. Jan Measles introduced her guest, Jackie Misker who publicized the Durango Discovery Museum’s upcoming fundraiser on June 20^th, titled “Who’s Your Daddy” for the 5^th consecutive year.

• Announcements: Tami reported on this week’s HNR Board meeting and the well attended Fireside Chat which had all Red Badgers present. Jill Wark’s and Emily Spencer’s efforts in organizing this event were appreciated by all. Kudos to both of them. Tami announced the changing of the guard meeting on Thursday 6/25/2009 that will take place at 6:00 PM and will take the place of the noon meeting. Invitations have been sent and Ted Weirather needs RSVPs executed with meal preferences selected. Should be a great event. Tom Brossia took a head count for this weekend’s trash pickup event along highway 160 West and determined that he did not have a quorum of 15 and so cancelled it. Chip Lile stepped into the breach and said all those who did not volunteer for the trash event could come to the Moto-Cross Event this weekend (Saturday and Sunday the 16^th and 17^th) at the Fairgrounds and help serve beer. Contact Chip as he needs help in particular on Saturday between noon and 7:30 PM. All the Red Badgers and their sponsors were recognized. RBs that metamorphosed to blue badgers are: Nancy Bennet, Scott Flyte and Steve Dorf. Treasurer, Cathy Crum, asked all who wished to receive their Rotary bill by e mail to sign the list she circulated.

• Sergeant of Arms, Emily Spencer, fined Justin Osborne for being the male centerfold for one of the local real estate advertising rags. Justin feigned innocence. Emily spoke to the Rotary questionnaires on tables that asked three questions: 1) who is Paul Harris? 2) When was Rotary founded and 3) Who qualifies to be a Paul Harris Fellow? These were collected and will be corrected. Those who miss questions will pay $1 per question. Emily fined Tom Crabbe as HNR’s “funniest member.” Happy Dollars: Howard Wilson was happy after offering $3,000 to the HNR coffers if Bob Chaput would do the club directory again this year. Howard had a good year at the tables as his offer was $1,000 last year, not a paltry sum! Tom Galbreath actually volunteered to do it this year and paid for the privilege. Thanks to Bob for his efforts in the past and Tom for doing it for the 2009-2010 year. Ted Weirather paid $30; $25 for his anniversary, $3 for his club membership anniversary and $2 “just cuz” he wanted to do it. Samantha had $5 happy dollars for her daughter’s acceptance into New York University and the Red Wings being in the finals. Sara Olsen paid for her son graduating and for her 40^th, the years have been good to her. Sara also is seeking a volunteer to replace her as the Rotaract advisor. Rick O’Block is happy that his daughter graduated from CU with a very good GPA and the Nugget’s recent win. Steve Redding was happy that his 86 year old father has recovered from a broken back. Steve also announced that Music in the Mountains is seeking housing. Jill Carithers is happy about her 2d anniversary in HNR and that she is now carrying a straight 4.0 in her graduate program for education administration. Cathy Crum announced her 21^st anniversary in HNR. Cathy was the first woman in the club and it’s first female president. Clint Jaworsky paid up for missing his wedding anniversary. Tom Brossia was happy today and was flaunting his new walking stick. Sherry Tabor won today’s drawing.

• PROGRAM: ½ of today’s program, County Assessor, Craig Larson, spoke about County property valuations that were recently received by all La Plata County property owners. Craig explained that the 2009 Notices of Valuation (NOVs) were based on property sales from January 2007 to June 30 2008 so people should not be surprised that the NOVs reflect property values a little higher than current market values. The Assessor has the County broken into 12 residential neighborhoods and eight commercial areas. Craig also explained that commercial property is valued at 3.6 times that of residential property due to the state constitution’s Gallagher amendment which protects state residential property owners and restricts their total property taxes to 45% of all the state’s taxes. It was a good, timely program. The other ½ of today’s program was Boom and her very well received presentation that educated us about her home country, Thailand. Thailand is just north of the equator, has 15 mm people and its capital has the longest name of any country’s capital. About as long as a short story which Boom recited for us. The Thai language has 44 consonants and 32 vowels. Boom told us about their King who is not like a real King even though he just had his 60^th anniversary. Thailand has beaches and temperatures that are hot, hotter and hottest. Boom wears a school uniform, which she wore today, to attend St. Joseph’s convent. Boom also speaks 6 languages: Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and French. She liked snowboarding and going to our mall although it compared poorly to the one she showed pictures of that is near her school in Thailand. A plea was made to Mary Barter to help Boom be awarded a diploma in addition to walking at graduation. It was a wonderful presentation and Boom received a standing ovation from the membership. We were privileged to have Boom as our exchange student this year.

• Other: Bud Deering gave a public service announcement. Roberta Barr, a retired teacher who taught amongst others, Fred Klatt and Bob Griffith of our club, would be honored in a ceremony at the fish hatchery for her father’s introduction of elk to La Plata County in 1912.

The Four Way Test in everything we do and say:

ü Is it the truth?

ü Is it fair to all concerned?

ü Will it build good will and better friendships?

ü Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Next Week’s Program 5/21/2009: Kevin Britz, Director of Southwest Studies at FLC

Yours in Rotary,

Editor

Wayne Bedor