IT HAPPENED THIS WEEK, August 17, 2011

President Ann gaveled (she has the gavel TIED to herself!!!) the meeting to order and she called upon Joe Davidson the give us the invocation. He has a very special talent for, not only giving a great

invocation, but he can also tease the president while doing so. Ernie Garza led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Craig Ferre led us in singing "America."

After a short break, Cy Pierce introduced our one visiting Rotarian Michael Newman from the Westwood Club. Our Japanese exchange students were our guests and Dieter Holberg led us in the welcome song.

The health report was delivered by Harold Hanslmair and he told us that John Black is doing better after his fall. Some say that John fell for Linda (again).

Since Keith Jones wasn't present Bill Gardner was asked to give the District Announcements but he left them on his desk so Ann Murakami had to step in and tell us about them. She said that there was a District Breakfast on Tuesday, September 27 and the District Picnic is on Sunday, October 2. There is also a humanitarian trip to Puerto Rico February 8 - 13. Craig Ferre let us know that there is a farewell party for our Japanese kids at Kathy Haworth's house this Friday at 6:30. Please email Craig if you are attending. Bill Gardner was back up reminding us about the fishing trip September 8 -11. Please get your $100 deposit to Chris King ASAP. Fiesta La Ballona is coming up on August 26,27, & 28 and we get money when we sell Pancake Breakfast tickets (no one makes pancakes like Bill Gardner) and get your business cards on the placemats - see Ann.

Now is a FINE TIME to collect money so Ann dings Cy Pierce for catching a small or large fish, depending on what story you believe. Poor Cartwright Sheppard - he took a trip to Boulder CO to help his daughter move into her house, he has to pay a good sum of money for her college, he lost money at the race track, and Ann gets him for $25!! She also got those of us who did not go to the race track for $4.99.

Mercifully our program was introduced by Carmen Portnoy and it was Professor Lawrence Driscoll who talked about the life and the art of William Blake. Cartwright finished the meeting with some jokes.

Have a great week Rotarians!