Liz Bear with Vita Living visited us at our weekly noon Rotary meeting. She informed us they provide long-term comprehensive care and support for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). They are a Houston-based nonprofit organization and have been in service since 1982. Vita Living offers three vital core programs for individuals with IDD: group residences in Houston-area neighborhoods, a centrally located day center, and case management across seven counties. Across Texas, an estimated 75,000 individuals with IDD wait up to 14 years for a residential slot. Vita Living’s experienced and caring staff save lives and renew hope on a daily basis for this greatly under served and vulnerable population. Thank you Liz for visiting with us today.
Our club has a Education Enhancement program for three Middle Schools in our area. Watkins Middle School, being one of the schools we support expressed their thank you with a card signed by the students. We present by a drawing one student in each of the three grades a Kindle Reader to reward for meeting or exceed the requirements set by the school's reading program. Because reading is the heart of education, it prepares students for being able to excel their education and to prepare them for life after school. Today Julie Cantu and Callie Moczygemba visited our club to let us know how they use the Kindles and the excitement it bring to the kids in their school.
Our club has a Education Enhancement program for three Middle Schools in our area. Watkins Middle School, being one of the schools we support expressed their thank you with a card signed by the students. We present by a drawing one student in each of the three grades a Kindle Reader to reward for meeting or exceed the requirements set by the school's reading program. Because reading is the heart of education, it prepares students for being able to excel their education and to prepare them for life after school. The students made our day when they delivered this this card.
Alan Rockford. He is retired from NASA and was a astronaut suit fitter. He had many interesting stories about his time in the space program. We hope to have him back sometime to tell us about his time with the astronauts.
Our speaker this week speaker Deputy Sheriff Warren Conner who is assigned to Patrol District 5 ( N.West) since 2015. He has specialized training in Mounted Patrol, Crime prevention and is a Field training officer, He spoke on the crime in our area and gave tips on how not to be a victim of a crime. Photo by Alan Cookson.
We are on track to end polio in 2018," announced Wayne Staton, District Chair for Polio Plus and he spoke at our club meeting last week. "Wayne Staton was born in the Lynchburg, Virginia area and lived there most of his life. He contracted polio when he was 8 months old. Polio left him with a weak right hip and leg. Mr. Staton graduated with honors with a degree in Physics from the University of Virginia. Currently, he is a Senior Technical Support Analyst at BMC Software. Here are some highlights of his Rotary experience: Past president of the Rotary Club of Sharpstown, 2Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society member, and Polio Plus Society member.
Mr. Staton is calling on Rotarians and the community to join the push to eradicate polio in 2018. From 2013 to 2018, every US dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication will instantly become three dollars, thanks to a 2-to-1 match by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Learn more about Rotary's efforts to end polio at http://www.endpolio.org/.
November 16 Bear Creek - Copperfield Rotary Meeting
Our District Governor Bill Palko and Assistance Governor Alan Brevard visited our club August 24th. Bill presented his message and goals for his year and we shared our many projects with him. Thanks Bill for your visit.
Bear Creek - Copperfield Rotary Club collected 500 gallons of water to provide for the approximate 400 children in the West Houston Trailer Park. This park has no drinking water and in the Houston summer this is a dangerous situation. This club project was a joint effort with Roxanne Shewmaker, store manager, Walmart Neighborhood Market in Bear Creek, Nancy Johnson with Calvary Community Church and Richard Farias of the American Latino Center for Research, Education & Justice. Well done to all volunteers who made this possible. Rotary Serving Humanity.
Marilyn McGuire of the Bear Creek Copperfield Rotary was presented with the 'Heart and Soul' 2016 Pro Bono Award from Linda Good Directing Attorney, Lone Star Legal Aid Houston Branch Office. Marilyn, Congratulations on your award, we are so proud of you.
Great meeting yesterday at Spring Creek BBQ on Highway 6 N. Scott Rainey Space Center Rotary shared the global grant for the Babile woreda Water Infrastructures Construction and Rehabilitation Project located east of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Looks like it will help 3,500 households have clean safe water to drink. The children won't have to make the long trek to a poor quality water source just to get water in a bucket for the family. Instead they can go to school. Wonderful project through an international partnership between the Rotary Club Space Center and the international club Addis Abab East. Thanks Scott for the information.
Wow did we have fun today at the Grace Care of Cypress Birthday Party. Jim Baker and 'That Band' provided the great music while Paula Allen, Jan Griffin, Jim and Linda Trebes passed out the cake and punch. Thank all for helping to make this a great success.
The District 5890 convention is now history. It was held on Galveston Island at the San Luis Spa, Resort and Conference Center. Our club had three members and one spouse attend the event. We were able to meet with other club members and share ideas on the many local and international service projects being provided by Rotarian's. Next year the Rotary District 5890 Conference will be held April 20-23, 2017 at La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa in Montgomery, Texas.
Our club attendees were Paul Homsy President Elect Nominee Easy Ojonta Past President and Jim Trebes President Elect and his wife Linda. Please plan to attend the 2017 convention.
Liz Bear from Boys and Girls Country visited with our club on Thursday March 10. Boys and Girls Country is located 35 miles northwest of downtown Houston. We are close to Cypress, Waller and Tomball areas. You can get to their campus either off of Hwy 290 or FM 2920. Boys and Girls Country provides a home to more than 100 children and young adults each year, and continues to be home for many who grew up here. Children ages 5 to 18 live on the Robinson campus in cottages with trained Teaching Parents and attend public school. Our young adults are encouraged to transition to the College and Career Campus around the corner while they attend college, work a first job, or join the military. Our clud says thank you for all you do for these kids.
Our featured speaker on Thursday was the District Governor Nick Giannone M.D. Nick is a physician from Lake Jackson, and Rotarian for almost 25 years, He carried the Rotary President's direction of Rotary International which is ‘Be a Gift to the World’. Our club was recognized as being a very active club focused on helping our local community as well as the international community.
An Evening of Comedy and Magic Starring Harry Maurer
An Evening the Whole Family Can Enjoy Together!
Bring the Whole Family on Saturday, May 9th to the Berry Center for an evening of unbelievable Comedy, Magic, Fun and Laughter starring "Atlantic City Entertainer of the Year Award" nominee -- Harry Maurer with performances benefiting the Bear Creek-Copperfield Rotary Club!
Comedy Magician Harry Maurer is known for his performances in casino showrooms around the country and aboard top cruise lines around the world where he entertains regularly presenting clean and fun shows filled with comedy, drama, danger, spectacle, surprise, puzzlement and wonder!
Clean, fun entertainment suitable for teens and adults!
All performances will be held at the Berry Center Auditorium and proceeds from this event will benefit the Bear Creek-Copperfield Rotary Club and their humanitarian efforts both around the world and right here in our community!
Bill Brown, the longtime Houston Astros play by play television broadcaster, will be our very special guest on Thursday, January 29th. He will be sharing the excitement of the upcoming Astros baseball season and answering your questions.
Bill has been a member of the Astros broadcast team since 1987 after working as Senior Producer and anchor of the Financial News Network's SCORE program. Prior to that assignment, he was Sports Director of the Sports Time Cable Network, which televised selected games of the Reds, Royals and Cardinals. He has received numerous honors including the Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service at the 2012 Houston Baseball Dinner. He was inducted into the Houston Media Wall of Honor in September of 2011 and into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame on November 12, 2004.
He is an author of two books, My Baseball Journey, a Sportscaster’s Story co-authored by Tim Gregg and Houston Astros: Deep in the Heart co-authored by Mike Acosta, gives a pictorial history of the Houston Astros.
Mercy Richard became our newest club member in November. Mercy is founder of Mercy House, a non-profit women's shelter. Mercy is dedicated to humanitarian service to our community. Please welcome Mercy to our club!
Our club has been awarded a District Award from Cy-Fair ISD Partners in Education for the incentive program that Elaine Combs
started at Campbell Middle School last school year. The program was an
incentive to reduce classroom tardiness, which in turn would increase classroom intructional time. Six i-Pods and a laptop
computer were donated and the program was a definite success! Cy-Fair
ISD has submitted this program to be considered for a State award. Now that's GREAT NEWS!!
"Marketing is to your business as food is to your life." This was the
message that Robert Juarez shared with us on October 27. Robert
discussed marketing strategies and goals to differentiate your business
from others. Even a little difference can have big returns. Robert
emphasized that marketing is an investment in your business and not an
expense.
(Robert was a member for 10 years with the Rotary Club of Taipei and a Paul Harris Fellow.)
Buddy Jones, our very own club member, was our guest speaker on 10/20.
Buddy spoke about the need for backing up electronic data. He shared
with us some astounding statistics on data loss and how it affects
businesses and individuals. Buddy discussed some common reasons for the
loss of data and different ways to back up information. Please visit
Buddy's online backup services at www.abcsonlinebackup.com for more
information.
Our 2012 Spring Golf Tournament Fundraiser will be on April 16, 2012 at the Houston Oaks Country Club (22602 Hegar Road, Hockley, TX). Registration begins at 11:30 am with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. Awards Dinner and Silent Auction will follow the tournament. Please save the date on your calendar!
Judge Jeff Williams fellowshipped with our club on October 13, 2011. He
was elected Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, Place 2 in the
November 2010 election in Harris County. Judge Williams informed us
that this JP court is the busiest court in Harris County and has a staff
of about 40. Judge Williams presides over a myriad of cases, including
civil, criminal, juvenile, and administrative court cases. He even
performs weddings! Because most of the cases are smaller claims cases
and are self-represented (i.e., no lawyer needed), his court is referred
to as a "People's Court".
(Judge Williams is pictured on the left along side our President-Elect Easy Ojonta.)
District Governor Rhonda Walls-Kerby made her official club visit to our
club on September 29. Rhonda shared with us the vision and mission of
this year's Rotary theme: Reach within to Embrace Humanity. She also
commended our club for all of our on-going service projects and the new
ones that we are pursuing. Rhonda encouraged us to go forth and carry
out RI President Banerjee's mission for all Rotarians...to have
continuity and to make a change.
Terry Stracke came and spoke at our club on Thursday Sept 22, 2011. She spoke to us about her work with Tools 4 Life, a non-profit organization that goes into detention centers and teaches life skills to teen boys that have been incarcerated.
Assistant Governor Robin Charlesworth was our club's guest speaker on
September 15, 2011. Robin shared with us the mission for this Rotary
year: Reach within to Embrace Humanity. RI President Kalyan Banerjee
encourages us to "reach within and unleash your inner power and then use
it to embrace everything and everyone around you." With this in mind,
Robin asked us to reflect within ourselves and answer the following:
What is Rotary? Why am I a Rotarian? What are the three major
components of a Rotary Club? and What can I ask or say to someone to
invite conversation about improving the community and world around us?
Develop our strengths and let's go forth to embrace humanity.
We had another dynamic visit with CSM Larry Holland on Thursday,
September 08. Larry updated us on what is going on with our military
and current events. Good questions were also posed by our club
members. Hero Sergeant Andrew Beasley was also present. He described
how the "Helping A Hero" organization has helped him and how it has
changed his life. President-Elect Easy Ojonta concluded the visit by
presenting Larry with $250 in gift certificates to support the "Helping A
Hero" program.
Please welcome four new members to our club! They are: Liz Ducote
(Comerica Bank), George Garcia (Comcast), Chris Mallett (State Farm
Insurance), and James Hardin (JH Plantscapes, Inc.).
Mrs. Shirley Porter-Reed spoke to us on Thursday July 28th about Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Shirley is the founder of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Gourp in the Aldine area.
Mr. Pat Brown talked about fun in the sky at our lunch meeting on July 14, 2011. Pat is co-owner and a flight instructor for Light Sport Aviation (LSA). He discussed the kinds of aircraft in the LSA category, licenses needed to fly them, limitations, and the training requirements to become an LSA pilot. He also touched on what you can do as an LSA pilot...which is virtually anything a private pilot can do. But most importantly, you can have FUN because "one mile of runway will take you any where" !
State Representative Allen Fletcher fellowshipped with our club on July 07, 2011. He represents District 130 which includes Cy-Fair, Klein, Tomball and Waller. Rep. Fletcher is also a fellow Rotarian and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Tomball. This is his second term as Representative for our district and he proudly announced that he has "never missed a day" and "never missed a vote". He is also the only retired police officer in the Texas State House. Since the last Legislative Session recently ended, Rep. Fletcher discussed briefly the bills that were filed and what they were able to accomplish. He stated that it was a successful Session.
President Paula Allen presented Leslie Lawson with a Rotary Service Award on June 30, 2011 at our lunch meeting. During Paula's term, Leslie was our club's Sergeant-at-Arms and was diligent in marking club member attendance and collecting lunch monies, dues and payments, and making deposits. Thank you, Leslie!
Dr. Sunny Okorie, President of Relief Network Ministries, was our guest speaker on June 30, 2011. Started in 2001, Relief Network Ministries' mission is to provide clean water to rural villages and inner cities in Africa. The hope is to break the cycle of disease from unclean water. Dr. Okorie reported that in the last 10 years, they have drilled about 200 water wells, mostly in Nigeria. For more information, please visit www.relief-networks.org.
Relief Network Ministries will be having a 10th Anniversary Gala Fundraising Dinner on August 26, 2011 at the Marriott Hotel South on Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas.
Rebecca Welsh-Hutchinson was our guest speaker on June 23, 2011. Rebecca is a Clinical Certified Diabetes Educator with North Cypress Medical Center. She discussed briefly the two types of diabetes, their prevalence and the reasons for an increase in diabetes in children. Nutrition and wellness were also outlined to keep the disease in control and/or to prevent its onset.
The Installation of Officers for 2011-2012 for our club was held on June 18, 2011. Past District Governor Ed Charlesworth and our new Assistant Governor Robin Charlesworth were both present for the event. Robin did the induction of the officers.
Ralph Staudenmayer - President Paula Allen - Immediate Past President Easy Ojonta - President Elect Matthew Buchta - Treasurer Anh Brown - Secretary
Ralph presented Paula Allen with a special award of recognition and appreciation for her leadership as President and service to our club.
Marilyn McGuire and her husband hosted the event at their home with wonderful food and hospitality.
President Paula Allen awarded Easy Ojonta with the Rotarian of the Year Award on June 18, 2011. Easy is dedicated to the services of our club, his community, and Rotary's mission. He truly exemplifies Rotary's motto of Service Above Self. Congratulations, Easy!
Deputy Sheriff John Mook visited our club on June 9, 2011. He discussed gang activity in the Cy-Fair area and the reasons why this is becoming an increasing problem.
Cy-Springs HS Girls' Track Team Coach Rugayya Gibson visited our club on June 16, 2011 along with her track star, Keirsten Duncan. Keirsten has achieved great success on the tracks and may be headed to the Olympics! Rugayya also updated us on her track team's latest performances and goals for upcoming meets. During the past school year, our club has been instrumental in assisting with funds to help this track team travel to different competitions. So on this day, we presented the team with another $500. In addition, club member Ronda Prince donated $100 and PDG Jon Eiche and his wife donated $50...all to help fund the team's upcoming events. Good luck, ladies!
Ralph Staudenmayer was installed as our club's incoming President for Rotary year 2011-2012. The event was held on Sunday, June 05, 2011 at the Union Station at the Minute Maid Park. This was the main ceremony to install the new District Governor Rhonda Walls-Kerby and all of the Presidents and Assistant Governors. Congratulations, Ralph!
Our Club's special guest speaker on June 02, 2011 was Danielle Adams, faculty sponsor/advisor for the Interact Club at Langham Creek High School. She was accompanied by three of her Senior Interact members: Jesal Shah, Michael Gin, and Brian Yeung. Danielle first briefly spoke about how Jesal Shah - their club's outgoing president - was instrumental in reviving their Interact Club and how she became their faculty sponsor. The club had over 40 members and Danielle foresees that the club will even be bigger next school year.
Danielle detailed a successful year. They volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, raised $350 for Polio Plus with a "Pennies for Polio" fundraiser, and collected treats at Halloween time for our troops. Their biggest event was organizing and hosting Diversity Night in April where the cultural diversity of our community was celebrated. Over $4000 was raised at this event.
Danielle encouraged us to tell high school students about the Interact Clubs to increase awareness and to unite service minded young adults. Thank you, Danielle, for your mentorship!
Through fundraising, our Club raised money to award three $1000 scholarships to Senior Interact members from Langham Creek High School and Cy-Ridge High School. The applicants had to submit an essay detailing their experience in Interact and how the Rotary's 4-Way Test had impacted their lives. This year's recipients are: Michael Gin (Langham Creek HS), Brian Yeung (Langham Creek HS), and Yumna Siddiqui (Cy-Ridge HS). These students, along with Langham Creek's Interact Club President Jesal Shah attended our lunch meeting on Thursday, June 02, 2011. Jim Baker and Wayne Baumier introduced the students and awarded them with their prize checks. They are ALL winners!
Pictured in the photo are (from left to right): Paula Allen, Brian Yeung, Michael Gin, Yumna Siddiqui, Ralph Staudenmayer, and Jesal Shah.
Jim Baker, Scott Spreen, and Aaron Jablonsky won the District 5890 golf tournament at the beautiful Wolf Dancer Golf Course in Bastrop, Texas duing the annual District Conference April 28 - 30, 2011. This is a Three-Peat for this team! Way to go, guys!!
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett was our club's guest speaker on May 26, 2011. Judge Emmett discussed issues pertaining to transportation, health care, and taxes in our county. Members and guests were also given the opportunity to pose questions and concerns.
Our newest club member, Ronda Prince, delivered an interesting and educational presentation on May 19, 2011. Ronda is a "health awareness advocate" who shared with us the benefits of controlling the acid/alkaline balance in our body by limiting the amount of acids that we input into our body via foods and drinks. Nobel Prize winner Dr. Otto Heinrich Warburg discovered in 1931 that "cancerous tissues are acidic and healthy tissues are alkaline". So, the more "acids" that we consume, the more our body shifts to sickness. Ronda demonstrated with several samples of water that even bottled and tap water that a lot of us drink are acidic. She then introduced us to Kangen Water, which is water that is clean, alkaline and has antioxidant potential. Kangen Water is attainable via a special filtering machine unit that attaches to any ordinary faucet. This machine will then filter and alkalinize your tap water, making it healthier to consume. Ronda concluded her presentation by sharing with us her own personal health testimonial and by allowing us to taste the Kangen Water. To learn more about Kangen Water, please visit www.yourmiraclewater.com.
Mimi Brian Vance, a Rotary Foundation Scholar, visited our club on May 12, 2011. Ms. Vance is the author of a series of children's picture books titled Words by the Handful. These books teach American Sign Language to babies through interactive stories. The premise is that hearing babies can use signs to communicate quite effectively long before they can speak words. These educational stories focus on communicating essential messages through repetition and reading aloud to stimulate early communication skills. To learn more about signing with babies, please visit www.wordsbythehandful.com.
Our District Conference is set for April 28 - 30, 2011 at the beautiful Lost Pines Hyatt Resort in Bastrop, Texas. Raffle tickets are now available for sale at $20 each and 100% of the ticket prices goes to the Rotary Foundation. The prizes are fantastic this year, with first prize being a $5000 shopping spree! You may pick up some raffle ticket booklets to purchase and/or sell from Paula Allen. All ticket stubs and sales money should be turned in to Teresa Nounou. The drawing will be held at the District Conference on Saturday, April 30, 2011.
Mr. Ivan Butterfield, a fellow Rotarian from the Oyster Creek Rotary Club, visited with our club on Thursday, March 31, 2011. Mr. Butterfield spoke about Rotary's partnership with Dolly Parton's literacy Program, the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Started by Dolly in 1995, the mission of this program is to mail one book a month to a child from the time they are registered until the time they turn five years old. The child can be registered as soon as the day he/she is born. It has been documented that in the first three years of a child's life, 90% of the foundation for future learning is established. Therefore, one of the goals of this program is to assist children to learn to read. Rotary Clubs can elect to get involved by adopting a neighborhood (within a zip code) and by committing $28 per child to this program. The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program will do all the work to select and mail out the books to the children each month. To learn more about this program, please visit www.imaginationlibrary.com.
Syed Ahmed Fellow Rotarian and Founder Of Forward Movement gave a great talk on how we can help provide clean and affordable water to Pakistan and any other countries.
Through fundraising, our Club has raised money to award three $1000 scholarships to Senior Interact members of Langham Creek High School and Cy-Ridge High School. The applicants had to submit an essay detailing their experience in Interact and how the Rotary's 4-Way Test had impacted their lives. The Scholarship Committee met and finalized the three winners on Thursday, March 10, 2011. They are: Michael Gin (Langham Creek HS), Brian Yeung (Langham Creek HS), and Yumna Siddiqui (Cy-Ridge HS). These students and their faculty sponsors have been invited to our lunch meeting on Thursday, June 02, 2011 to fellowship with our club and to make the formal presentations.
Mr. Bob Hinsley, a Rotarian and an attorney with 40+ years of experience, visited with our club on Thursday, March 10, 2011. Mr. Hinsley specializes in consumer law, with a focus on disputing credit card debt without resorting to bankruptcy and without consolidation. He discussed credit card debt laws, your rights, and how to legally reduce your credit card debt.
"Are you using the right fork?" Alexandre Wood, founder of Alexandre's Advantage, LLC, reminded us that "etiquette is more than just using the right fork". Alexandre was our speaker at our Club's meeting on Thursday, March 03, 2011. She concentrated on communication etiquette, touching on cell phone, e-mail, voicemail (incoming and outgoing), and speaker phone etiquette. Lastly, she also stressed the importance and impact of thank you notes, preferrably handwritten ones. Alexandre's take-home message was that "etiquette is about being considerate, respectful, and honest." Well said!
Are you connected? Mr. Gail Stonlzenburg, author and certified networker, quoted on Thursday, February 24, 2011, at our lunch meeting that the "missing link to successful sales is connecting or networking..." He iterated that connecting is important for success today. Mr. Stonlzenburg also detailed the main elements of networking: communication, acceleration of follow up, value, building trust, branding, and shifting the focus from profit to product. In addition, the Why, Who, When, and Where to connect were discussed. The final take home message or "equation" was: Visibility + Credibility = Profitability.
Jon McKinnie, Past-President of Space Center Rotary Club and Chief of Staff of Technology and Event Resources, was our Club's speaker on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Jon first briefed on the history and origin of Medicare. He then touched on the basics of Medicare and how it has changed and evolved over the years. Useful features, help-links, and updates on Medicare were also discussed.
Ms. Rugayya Gibson, head coach of the Cy-Springs HS Girls Track Team, brought two of her star athletes to our lunch meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2011. The two young ladies are Kiera Walton and Keirsten Duncan. Good news were shared. First, President Paula Allen announced that our club has generously donated $500 to Ms. Gibson's team. Second, individual donations from Jeff Adams ($300), Easy Ojonta ($200), and Leslie Lawson ($100) were also presented. The money will help fund the team's travel expenses to attend the Indoor Nationals competition in New York. Ms. Gibson expressed their gratitude to our club for making it possible for them to travel. She also thanked our club member, Shawn Borzelleri, who is a Director at YMCA, for the use of the YMCA's facility during their training. Finally, Ms. Gibson announced that Kiera Walton has "signed on with U of H!" Plenty of cheers from our club members were garnered with that announcement!
On Monday, February 14, 2011, our Club hosted a casual fundraiser at Carl's Bar-B-Que to raise money and awareness for the End Polio Now campaign. Many of our club members and family gathered with a few fellow Rotarians from the Cy-Fair and West Houston Rotary Clubs for some good bar-b-que or prime rib and casual conversation. The special guest and keynote speaker for the evening was Terry Ziegler, who updated us on Rotary's fundraising efforts thus far and how close we are to reaching our goal to help End Polio Now. Special thanks go to Wayne Baumier and Elaine Combs for organizing this event and to Terry Ziegler for spending time with us on Valentine's Day.
Is your computer "virus" free? The "Virus Doctor", Mr. Ken Dwight, held an informative discussion with our Club on February 10, 2011. Mr. Dwight is a Computer Consultant (and a member of the Willowbrook Rotary Club) who specializes in preventing and repairing damages caused by computer viruses. He reviewed common myths of computer viruses and gave us some action steps that we can implement immediately to protect our computers against viruses, spyware, hackers, and other malicious programs. Please visit his website at www.thevirusdoc.com for a detailed list of preventive measures.
The Annual Houston Chevron Marathon took place early on Sunday, January 30, 2011. It was a sprinkly and overcast morning, but Rotarians from District 5890 gathered at Mile 6 under the Rotary Hoopla Station to cheer on all the runners. Jean Love and Paula Allen were along side District Governor Sunny Sharma, and his wife, Rashmi, to give a special cheer to the Rotarian runners! (Please visit our club's Photo Journal to view the photo of Jean and Paula.)
It was a "full table" at our Club meeting on January 27, 2011. Steve Vetrano, CEO of the Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross and a member of the Rotary Club of Houston, updated us on the relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti. Steve reported that the American Red Cross raised $479 million (all non-governmental donations) and have already spent about half of that in the last year to help Haiti rebuild and recover from the devastating earthquake. It is estimated that it will take five years for the American Red Cross to complete their work there, as there are still about 850,000 people living in tents who need permanent housing with clean water and sanitation systems.
Craig Bean fellowshipped with our Club on Janurary 27, 2011. Craig represents Win For Texas, a coalition group that supports implementing gaming/slot machines at the thirteen licensed race tracks in Texas. They claim that the Texas horse industry has seen sharp declines in the last few years as Texans spend more than $2 billion a year on gaming in our neighboring states. Win For Texas believes that allowing slot machines in Texas' racetracks will bring $8.5 billion in new economic activity as well as over 70,000 new permanent jobs into our state. To learn more about their mission, please visit their website at www.WinForTexas.com.
Ms. Rugayya Gibson revisited our Club on Thursday, January 20, 2011. She is the Head Girls Track Team Coach at Cy-Springs High School. She updated us on her team's performance at a meet at Texas A&M and thanked our Club for making it possible for them to attend and compete. Ms. Gibson also expressed her team's desire to travel and compete at the New York Indoor Nationals. Tirelessly dedicated, she inspires and motivates her students to overcome adversities and to work hard to get to the "finish line" ...to reach their goals.
January birthdays were celebrated with the residents of Mariner Health Nursing Home on Wednesday, January 19, 2011. Jim Baker, Doc Greene, and Jazz Duarte were on hand to entertain with music and song. Rotarians from our club served delectable cupcakes and Blue Bell ice cream to sweeten the occasion! Lee Patterson and Sara Holba coordinate this monthly event.
Business coach and author, C.J. Cooledge, was our Club's dynamic speaker at our lunch meeting on Thursday, January 13, 2011. Mr. Cooledge has been "selling" for over 36 years and shared with us some of the myths of successful "selling" of products and services. He then asked and discussed a very poignant question: "Is perception reality?" His take home message for 2011 is to "focus on HOW your product (or service) will AFFECT your prospective client" and not on the actual product (or service) itself. This will make your business more successful without working twice as hard. Mr. Cooledge was effectively informative and thought-provoking.
Our Club will be participating in a food and supply drive to benefit Special Pals. Starting January 17 through February 10, please bring your food/supply donations to our weekly lunch meeting. The items will then be delivered to Yvonne David, Executive Director of Special Pals. Let's make a difference in the fight against hunger.
Jeff Adams, owner of Cypress Driving School, held an informative meeting for our Club on January 06, 2011. Jeff updated us on the new driving laws that have and will affect teenage and adult drivers in the state of Texas. The wealth of information was much needed by a lot of us as some of us have not taken a driver's test since the Yield sign was still yellow! Thank you, Jeff, for bringing us up to "speed"!
The infamous Christmas Trio performed at our lunch meeting on December 23, 2010. Playing the saxophone was our very own Jim Baker. Providing vocals and jamming on the guitar was Doc Greene. Jazz Duarte completed the Trio on electric guitar. What a perfect holiday treat!
Mr. Vince Ryan, our Harris County Attorney for the next four years, visited our Rotary Club on 12/16/2010. Mr. Ryan detailed the programs he is involved with and briefed on what is going on in our county courts.
On December 16, 2010, President Paula Allen and Elaine Combs represented our Rotary Club and visited Campbell Middle School to reward three deserving students. Elaine spoke and awarded iPods to the three students, one from each grade level. These students have to have low absences and tardies. The young boy in the front received a gift certificate from Campbell Middle School. Their principal, Ms. Cheryl Henry, is also proudly in the photo.
Doc Greene and Jim Baker provided great instrumental music at the Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at the Mariner Health Nursing Home. Also present but not pictured was Jazz Duarte.
Joy and cheer and sweets were shared with the residents of Mariner Health Nursing Home on 12/15/2010. The room resonated with beautiful voices as many of our club members joined together to sing Christmas carols while Jim Baker, Doc Greene, and Jazz Duarte accompanied on the saxophone and electric guitars. Each resident also received a teddy bear from "Santa", aka Easy Ojonta. What a festive sharing of the Christmas spirit!
Jean Love's house was decked with holiday cheer on the evening of December 11, 2010. Many of our Club members and their spouses gathered together for delicious food, spirits, and wonderful conversation.
Our Rotary Club partnered with Unishippers, a local shipping company, to help a Houston family in need. On December 09, 2010, Morgan Allen (Logistics Coordinator) and Carrie Ogilvie (Director of Customer Development) of Unishippers attended our Club meeting and presented Ms. Ligia Henriques with a gift of $300. Our Club matched Unishippers' donation to help ease some of Ms. Henriques' burdens during this difficult time.
Over 25 Rotarians and guests were present at our weekly lunch meeting on 12/09/2010 to hear Retired Command Sergeant Major Larry Holland. CSM Holland is a Board Member of HelpingAHero.org, which is an organization that builds specially adapted homes for our severely wounded heroes injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. He affirmed that every single dollar received from donations goes directly to the building of these special homes. To date, HelpingAHero.org has awarded over 26 homes. CSM Holland also fielded questions from our club members about current issues facing our country. It was dynamic.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Jean Love has graciously offered to host this year's Christmas party at her home. If you would like to participate in a gift exchange, please bring a gift around $10. Come and enjoy a wonderful evening with your fellow Rotarians!
The details...
When: Saturday, December 11th, at 6:30 pm;
Where: Jean Love's house
RSVP: Please contact Jean Love
On a crisp fall morning of 10/30/2010, several of our Club members joined hundreds of others from Northwest Houston for the annual Heart Walk. The 3.3 mile walk encompassed the beautiful Towne Lake development. This fundraising event helped raise money for the American Heart Association. Many walked in honor of a loved one affected by heart disease. It was a healthy turn out. Way to walk, Rotarians!
On October 22, 2010, Rotary District 5890 and its 63 Clubs hosted the "Be a Friend Dinner" at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This event celebrated the partnership between 18 non-governmental organizations and District 5890 Rotary Clubs. It is an honor that these "Stategic Partners and Friends" are changing lives through service along side with Rotary. Our own club member, Bill Moon, was recognized and represented Work for Water and their Ghana Water Project. Several of our club members attended this enjoyable and momentous event.
Melissa Simon with the Bridges to Life organization spoke with our Club on 12/02/2010. Through a 14 week program, Bridges to Life is a faith-based organization that helps prisoners restore personal and spiritual relationships as they re-enter the community.
Anh Brown fellowshipped with the Rotary Club of Ubud Sunset in Bali, Indonesia on 11/22/2010. Club banners were exchanged with President Elect Lloyd Hassencahl, who is an American originally from Los Angeles, CA. While traveling, don't forget to visit the local Rotary Club. There's always a friendly Rotarian smile to welcome you!
Several of our club members sang and visited with the residents of Mariner Health Nursing Home on 11/17/2010. Residents' birthdays for the month were celebrated with sweets and song.
Our newest Club member, Shawn Borzelleri, was inducted on 10/21/2010. Shawn is an Executive Director of YMCA and was sponsored by Easy Ojonta. Welcome, Shawn!
A lot of fun was had at the second annual Tailgate with a Hero event on 10/02/2010 at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center. President Paula Allen, Wayne Baumier, Doris Forte, and Anh Brown served delicious fajita tacos. The food was donated by local restaurants and cooked by Wayne Baumier and other Rotarians from other clubs.
Local business owner Brad West visited with our club on 09/30/2010 to detail his goals and vision for Cy-Fair ISD. Brad was a candidate for a CFISD Board position in the November 02, 2010 election.
Ms. Sara Henzel visited our club on 08/19/2010. She is a Representative for Gulf Coast Blood Bank. Ms. Henzel spoke about blood donation and the blood drive on 08/30/2010, sponsored by the Neighborhood Wal-Mart in Bear Creek. Our club had a successful turn-out with over 20 donations.
District Governor Sunny Sharma and his wife, Rashmi, visited and fellowshipped with our club on August 12, 2010. Sunny spoke about his vision and goals for Rotary District 5890, emphasizing "Building Communities, Bridging Continents".
On July 15th our very own Easy spoke on the Future Vision Grant program. He explained how our club could apply for the grants to help fund our projects.
Nonprofit animal rescue organization Special Pals, a no-kill
facility, is bringing discounted pet services to Katy area dogs and
cats. Added most recently is a weekly low-cost spay and neuter clinic.
"There aren't any discount spay-and-neuter clinics out here,"
explained executive director Yvonne David. "People have been asking us
for it and we just thought, 'Let's fix it.'
If you missed the meeting on April 07, 2011, then you missed our NEW member Ronda Prince. She is sponsored by Paula Allen and inducted in by President Elect Ralph. Make it a point to make our newest member feel at home.
CSM Larry Holland had another dynamic and informative visit with our club on May 05, 2011. His visit was perfect timing as he enlightened us with insights and information on current events. He fielded questions from our club members.
Deputy Sheriff Warren Conner visited with our club on April 21, 2011. Sheriff Conner is currently in Patrol in District 5, which encompasses Tomball, Waller, and Cypress. He has also been assigned various duties as a Contract Deputy, a District Car, a Field Training Officer, and currently the Traffic Initiative Unit, AKA Jack of All Trades. Additionally, he volunteers as a Mounted Patrol Deputy on horseback and also actively assists the Sheriff's Junior Mounted Posse in a liason position. Sheriff Conner fielded questions from our club members and reported that he now has a video camera in his squad car, so watch your speed!!
Our Spring Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser was held on Monday, April 25, 2011 at the beautiful Houston Oaks Country Club in Hockley, Texas. This was our club's main fundraiser to raise money for our various charitable projects. We partnered with Reach Unlimited and hosted Reach Unlimited's Golf Outing at this event. President Paula Allen announced on April 28, 2011 that we raised $22,800 this year! Thank you to our Golf Committee and to all the members who helped to make this a SUCCESS!
President Paula Allen awarded Jean Love with a third Sapphire for her Paul Harris Fellow Pin. Jean earned this award for having contributed $4000 to the Paul Harris Foundation. Congratulations, Jean!
Ms. Pam Scott, Director of Partners in Education with the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, was the speaker for our club meeting on April 28, 2011. Partners in Education is an effort to partner the community with the schools and students in order to enhance student achievement. Ms. Scott asked us to consider adopting a school or a class in Cy-Fair ISD or to serve our students by mentoring, tutoring, reading, providing professional services, and/or being a bus buddy. For further information, please contact Ms. Scott at pamela.scott@cfisd.net.
Our club had several special guests visiting our lunch meeting on April 28, 2011. But four of them came a long distance on a Rotary Exchange Program. They are the Vocational Training Team (VTT) from Rotary District 2760 from Nagoya, Aichi Japan. The team leader is Dr. Yoshiyuki Ohno from the Rotary Club of Owari-Asahi. Dr. Ohno is a physician as well as Professor Emeritus in Epidemiology at Nagoya University. The other team members are: Dr. Masayasu Haru, an abdominal surgeon; Hiroko Shimizu, a registered nurse; and Nami Nishio, a midwife. Each represented a different Rotary Club in Nagoya, Japan and each exchanged club banners with President Paula Allen. They have been visiting the Greater Houston area since April 16 and will depart May 15. To learn more about this VTT team, please visit their blogspot at http://2760vtt.blogspot.com/
Terry Stracke was the speaker at our lunch meeting on April 14, 2011. Terry was a member of the Bear Creek Copperfield Rotary Club for ten years, where she was Past President. Due to her husband's job, Terry moved outside of the United States and lived in England, Malaysia and the Netherlands. As a committed Rotarian, she joined the Rotary Clubs in those countries. Due to cultural differences, Terry openly shared with us the challenges that she faced as a female Rotarian trying to find a club home. Nevertheless, her indomitable spirit and dedication to the works of Rotary perservered. Terry and her husband relocated back to Houston, Texas in the fall of 2010 and is currently a member of the Houston Heights Rotary Club. Thank you, Terry, for sharing your journey in Rotary.
After months of diligent communication, Teresa Nounou announced on April 14, 2011 at our lunch meeting that Dr. Alan Cookson's club transfer is now complete. Alan is now an official member of the Rotary Club of Bear Creek Copperfield! Originally from London, England, Alan is an electrical engineer who was a member of the Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club in Maryland, where he served as Treasurer. Prior to that, he was a member of the Rotary Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Alan moved to Houston about 5 months ago to be near his children and grandchildren. Welcome to Texas and to our club!
Teresa Nounou became the newest Paul Harris Fellow of our club. She was presented with the award and recognition by President Paula Allen and Presiden-Elect Ralph Staudenmayer at our lunch meeting on April 14, 2011. Congratulations, Teresa!
On Thursday, April 07, 2011, our own club member Easy Ojonta heartfully shared with us a little about his childhood in his country. To instill responsibility, Easy's father bought a flock of sheep. Every morning, from the time Easy was eight years old until he was twelve, he had to get up early and round up all the sheep before going to school. This was not easy for a young boy, as the sheep would scatter and run wild into the woods, forcing Easy to have to chase them down, running and crying at the same time. In the afternoon after school, the task of herding the sheep had to be repeated! Perhaps all the running during his childhood has primed Easy to become a distance runner as Easy reported that on April 02, he participated in two weekend races. The first race race was a 5K race, "We're Running for their Lives: Aid Sudan 5K 2011". Even though he was under the weather, there was "no holds barred" for Easy because he believed in the cause of the race...to save lives. Easy took First Place in his age category! But Easy was not done for the day, for later on that evening, he drove to Kemah to participate in the Memorial Hermann TX3 Kemah Triathlon, where he was the runner in a relay along with a swimmer and a biker. His team won Second Place! There was nothing sheepish about Easy's perserverance and dedication!
Earlier this year, Easy Ojonta visited Nigeria, his native country. While there, he had the opportunity to fellowship with the Awgu Sunrise Rotary Club. Easy and their club discussed the Water Project that our own club has been working on developing. Flag banners were also exchanged with current club President Udeji Daniel Uchendu. Also present and pictured were President Elect Onyeka Akachukwu and Secretary Teddy Udeinya.
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