All About Chongqing, China
Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick introduced guests Lorraine Verploegen and Mark Thane (Susan Hay Patrick); and Linda Gibbs (Adele Gibbs). Noon Club Rotarians Carson and Betty Robinson also joined us, as did former Sunrise Rotarian Krista (Frederikson) Lechleitner. Julie McFarland was called forward to spin the wheel, punishment for driving a new car. Kara McCarthy was then called forward to spin the wheel, punishment for "ratting Julie out." David then provided some "tax humor"-if there really is such a thing!
Susan Hay Patrick announced that the Manners Dinner held last Saturday was a great success. Special thanks to all those who participated and helped, particularly Brenda Thayer, Bobby Clay and Ramey Kodadek. Brenda offered kind words of thanks to all and said it was a wonderful event. Bobby will have photos to share next week. And, apparently the lesson worked-thank you notes from the kids were circulated at the meeting!
Susan announced that Carson and Betty Robinson of the Noon Club were joining us to sell copies of the District Rotary cookbook. All proceeds will go to fund youth programs, and the cookbooks cost only $12. Get yours today!
Lynda Frost announced that the Money Train is sold out, has a wait list, and almost all the money is already collected. Lynda thanked the very excellent committee that has been working on this year's event. She also thanked our members for being so generous with silent auction items. And, Lynda also thanked everyone who has bought raffle tickets-and if you don't have yours yet, get them today!
Susan Patrick announced that nominations for the club awards are due to her or Arnie Didier by May 10th. The awards include: MERITORIOUS SERVICE: The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual Rotarian who has made significant contributions of service to our club for an extended period of time. Previous winners are Marshall Delano, Lynda Frost and Anne Guest. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD: This award recognizes a Sunrise Rotarian who has demonstrated a significant level of service to our club and/or the community in the past year. Jim Clark, Chris Warden, Carol Williams and Paul Williamson are among the previous winners. ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR: is awarded to a club member who has demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary. Last year's winner was our former member Kim Anderson; other previous winners include Jim Clark, Marshall Delano, and Rusty Lockner. Susan had nomination forms available at the meeting, and she has sent them to the club via email.
Susan then announced that Adele Gibbs' mother-in-law, Linda Gibbs, had graciously agreed to make banner display flags. The display flags were then presented to the club. These have banners from all over the world, some which Sunrise Rotarians have received on a visit to another club, and some which have been given to the club by Rotarians visiting us. These will be on display at our meetings-take a look!
COOKIES: Susan Patrick had cookies this week for Brenda Thayer (thank you for the wonderful Manners Dinner!); Julie McFarland (Happy Birthday!); and Linda Gibbs (thank you for the terrific banner display flags!)
Those with contributions to the Sunrise Rotary cookie jar this week:
--John Wells, with thanks to Bobby for providing all the salad dressing for the Manners Dinner and in honor of his sister-in-law who won 50 bottles of wine at the Instant Wine Cellar event!
--Dave Bell, who announced that great progress is being made on the Orange Street mural project-stop by and say hi!
Mark Thane,
Executive Director Region 1 - Curriculum Research & Assessment for Missoula County Public Schools, then spoke about the 2010 levy and school board election. Mark said the ballots are in the mail to all residents of Missoula County who reside in an MCPS elementary district. The election is being done via mail, and includes two items: four school board seats and an elementary schools operation and maintenance levy. The levy seeks $196,000 to support the general fund. This will mean about $6.70 per year increase on each $200,000 home valuation. Ballots can be mailed or dropped by the fairgrounds, the elections office or drive through at the Courthouse. They are due by 8pm on May 4th. Jim Clark then encouraged us to vote, and vote YES!
Bob Brown then
introduced our speaker, Qin Jie, who is a visiting teacher (since last fall) in Mandarin Chinese through the Mansfield Center at UM. She is a professor of law in Chongqing, China, and came to share details with us today about her hometown.
Qin Jie made a wonderful presentation with information, maps and photos about Chongqing. The city is located in southwest China on the Yangtze River. The broad area has a population of 31 million people, with 12 million in the urban area. Qin Jie explained that arriving in Missoula was a shock to her as we have so few people. She said she felt most comfortable attending a Grizzly football game where there were 24,000 people!
Chongqing means "Double Happy Celebrations." It is known for its hilly/mountainous terrain, rivers, night views and spicy food. It is an important port and has a 3,000 year history. The city is "foggy" and is one of the hottest cities in China, with summer temperatures of approximately 117 degrees. Winters are mild but are damp and overcast. The city averages only 1,024 hours of sunshine each year.
The region has been rich in agriculture and produce including rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, oranges, river fish and poultry. The city also has a strong (and growing) industrial base including manufacturing, steel, vehicles and motorcycles, chemical engineering and equipment manufacturing. It also has new and "green" industries including information, logistics, electrical engineering and finance. As a result, Qin Jie said it is now less foggy. Though Hong Kong makes the biggest investment in the area, Qin Jie explained that is changing to the US, France and Germany.
From November 1938 to February 1946 Chongqing was the temporary capital of China in the government of Chiang Kai-shek. It was the command center of Chinese military activity in WWII. Since 1997 it has been governed at a municipality by the central government.
The city is known as the city of stairs because homes are built directly onto the mountains, and long, steep stairs are used for access. In fact, peasants have found economic opportunity in becoming "bang bang men" who transport goods on bamboo sticks up the stairs.
Qin Jie said Chongqing is a city of bridges (there are 32) and that the Three Gorges Dam nearby is controversial. She said it has its advantages as well as its problems. She said that Chongqing is a city of challenges and opportunities. She closed by saying that she missed the hot food and, more importantly, her daughter and husband who will visit the US this summer.
Susan Patrick thanked Qin Jie for speaking with us today. We then closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four Way Test.