Meeting of 02/08/2011 - Presentation by Wayne Walker, Certified Hypnotherapist

Bernie was back! What a joy to see you, my friend. Cut his hair, too. He is going to be the new Pres. of the District E-club. That should be interesting - Bernie will be good at pushing the envelope (fellowship via a modem).

Francie ran the meeting in Bill's vacationing absence. A cruise I'm told. She tried to tie a theme into a teaching moment, but I fear her elementary school experience led her way over the heads of the audience. Don't give up, Francie, just remember what you're working with here. (Me, Novotny, etc). Great opening Valentines game which rewarding knowing spouses names, etc.

The annual basketball game "tailgate" is Saturday, Feb. 12. Ken Cox said 10 are going so far, meeting at The Hofbrau House at 2:30 with a 5:00 pm game time against San Diego State, one of the top teams in the country. Not too late to get tickets, call Ken if you want to go. This is always one of our funnest events, even if the Rebels lose.

Tom Novotny mentioned that, to show the effects of the economy, Paris Hilton was on his Southwest flight back from LA Sunday. He did not know if she had a court date, or found a new casino which had not banned her yet. Tom obviously did not develop a close relationship - hey, its only an hour flight and he's not moving as fast as in his youth. She was wearing a warm up suit and big sunglasses, probably glad to be out of the gutter but ashamed to be on Southwest.

Brett Announced that not only did we have an almost full Super Bowl board, which puts about $ 1,000 into the charity account. He also runs his own board at the radio station (KSHP-AM) for the club and turned over $ 900. Wow! Now that Brett's back we are going to fund more and more school projects in the future.

The speaker was Wayne Walker, a certified Hypnotherapist. Wayne was born in Dallas and raised on his Dad's cutting horse ranch. He is a multiple black belt, and was the youngest hand to hand combat teacher in the history of the Army Special Forces Ranger School. They are very tough hombres. He led us through several group mind relaxation excercises. According to Wayne we all experience hypnosis via day dreaming (just call me Walter Mitty). When asked the percentage of successful hypnosis treatments to stop smoking, it is 100...if the subject really wants to stop. The same with nail biting, so I signed up. I will be the guinea pig here, and will report later on the effectiveness to stop a 50 year-long bad habit. I have more, but do not want to fess up in public.

Another entertaining speaker, Chris, thank you!


Tom Lott

Meeting of 02/01/2011 - Kelso's enlighting predictions

Notes from the meeting today, with a nod to Bernie. One of these days, when writer block strikes, I will re-cap the effect Bernie had on our club in a short duration, which was awesome. However, with Kelso Sturgeon as speaker, that moment is postponed.

First a recap of today's announcements. Francie reports that our relationship with Agassi Prep has never been better. They need and appreciate us. We've supported them since Pres. Baker's term, which was some eight years ago. Note: Ted Baker, who I barely knew then, asked me to be Treasurer that year. I was perfectly content to be a knife and fork Rotarian, and that started my involvement with our noble organization. He must have been desperate, but it changed Rotary for me.

Also: District Assembly is April 16 (see Jan Carlton); Rotarian work day is April 30 (Ken Cox); May 14 is Corazon Super-Build (Tom Lott); RYLA needs more female facilitators (Lynn Purdue). Pres. Bill just got back from Presidents Advance, which is not an "advance" at all but in the middle of the President's year, coming in January each year. Bill was unimpressed with the food in La Jolla. This from a guy that probably ate C rations for days on end at times. A short mention on Pres. Bill's doo today. Yes, it was windy, but that lid at the podium was pretty bad. I'm prepping for a fine next week.

Now to Kelso. Despite his predictions of the Vikings winning the super bowl this year and Virginia Tech winning the BCS, all of which he freely admitted, he pointed out he picked the Saints when nobody gave them a chance. Long time ago it seems.

Kelso is one of our most entertaining speakers each year, and a supporter of our mission for kids, many time placing a bet and committing the rewards to our charity account. If only he'd win one of those... but today he opened with a $ 10 Happy Fine to honor his autistic grandson. Having never been around an autistic child, like many of us, he told some stories of what a great kid he is. The child predicted the death of a parakeet who seemed healthy and happy, and a flat tire shortly before its demise. Put him in for football predictions, coach! Very nice start to a football talk:

It's a bet and sweat Super Bowl he said as both teams are good and can win. Most million dollar bets so far are going for the Packers. He thinks the skill positions will win it. Rodgers is playing better than Ben now, they are even in the RB position. Pitt has the best defense, and plays field position ball. Pack will pass, Pitt will run (which should keep the score down, he feels).

Kelso picks the PACKERS laying 2 1/2 points and likes the UNDER at 44 points. Some of the proposition bets he favors include:
1. More than two players other than a QB will pass the ball
2. Keith Miller will score a TD
3. James Starks will score a TD
4. YES there will be an overtime
5. The shortest FG will be under 25 1/2 yards.

Steve Halvorsen is doing the Super Bowl board. Squares are only $ 25, owing to the recession, and we have about 30 left. Call Steve or Brett if you want in.

Tom Lott

Meeting of 01/25/2011 - Visit of Distric Attorney David Roger

2011-01-25 Meeting

District Attorney David Roger spoke about crime and punishment in 
Clark County.  He has been at it since the 1980's and due to his 
efforts to bring more criminals to trial, during a period of almost 
epidemic gang and drug wars in Las Vegas, violent crime has actually 
decreased.  Quite an amazing record, and surely a prime reason he is 
re-elected time and time again.  His previous visit was about 10 years 
ago. Questions were many, and each answer was thoughtful.  
They included his take on legalizing marijuana (against) and why 
Nevada doesn't have a 3 strikes, you're out like California (we have a 
similar law).   Mr. Roger said 80 % of all crime is committed by 20 % 
of the criminals, a curiously familiar organizational statistic.  His 
zeal is directed at that 20 % who continually repeat and have earned 
the right to spend the remainder of their lives behind bars.

Announcements  were about the Corazon Super Build International 
project, May 14.  So far we have Tom and Robin Novotny, Ken Cox, Bill 
Pierce and Tom Lott signed up.  We will leave Friday morning, May 13 
and usually stay at a beach front condo for some nice R&R fellowship 
time before embarking to Tecate, Mexico Sat. for the home build. Brett 
announced our Super Bowl board fund raiser.  Squares are $ 25 each and 
the pot is split by the winners and the club's charity account.  The 
board almost sold out today, the best sales record in recent memory.  
Francie announced there is an awards ceremony at Agassi Prep this 
Friday at 8:15 am.  If you have not attended an awards ceremony they 
are worthwhile and enlightening.  You won't regret taking that hour 
out of your day.  Also, Mayor Goodman is speaking April 26.

At the Board meeting we discussed the schools we support and any 
possible changes as Principals are changing.  Without the support of a 
principal or counselor our good intentions find limited success.  
Jerry Kops gratefully accepted and was voted to be the head of all 
school point-of-contacts.  There is a more official and impressive 
title, which I cannot remember.  Jerry has as much or more experience 
leading a school as anyone in the club.  His wisdom and hard work are 
appreciated.

Happy and cross fines were many, and included Lott, Grant, Lee, Cox 
and Novotny.  Not all were fair, like when Cox and Pierce ganged up on 
me, but hey, it's a good cause.

After the meeting a group of Past Presidents (Baker, Lott and Ruthe) 
welcomed Brett back to the game he loves.  Under spectacular skies we 
watched in amazement as he barely missed a birdie putt on his first 
hole back.  The graceful tempo was intact as well as pure ball 
striking.  His ball doesn't go as far (yet) as the former long hitter, 
but the game is still there!  All of us would call the day a long 
Rotary moment.  (Except when he out drove me.  I would have checked  
for an illegal ball, but he gave me some of his to use, so no luck 
there.)  We'll try to do this many times until it gets hot, and all 
golfers are welcome to join.  Happy golfers below.

"It's Vegas Baby" first winner! (10/31/2010)

"It's Vegas, baby!" first winner

On October 31st 2010 (Halloween night) a reception committee from the Rotary Club of Las Vegas West welcomed "It's Vegas, Baby!" first winners ever: Tatiana and Victoria Vinda and , from Moscow, Russia.

President Bill Pierce gives the winners their vouchers for the hotel, shows, spa, and the rest o the prices for this fabulous contest. A luxurious limousine is waiting for the ladies for their trip to the hotel.

And, yes, we have slot machines at the airport!

Want so see more pictures?. Follow the link below for a slide-show

 

More details in the next blog.

Text and pictures by Jorge Schapira

 

Meeting of 10/26/2010 - Visit of DG Roger Schulte

District Governor Roger Schulte visited today, meeting first with
Pres. Bill Pierce and Sec. Jan Carlton, then with the Board of
Directors. As with every visiting District Governor, he was impressed
with the giving our club demonstrates to support its mission and other
projects.

He was our speaker at the meeting and delivered a terrific message
based on his "Rotary Moments," though he did not refer to them as
such. Roger is a retired middle school principal whose mother taught
elementary school. He described how his mother would shake a hand and
examine it, remembering that person, or child, for life. Roger
transitioned that into eyes, and told of his visit to India to
administer polio vaccine in a small Muslim village which had
experienced a recent case, a small child. There were photos during
his talk of many children and parents, and their eyes. The kids were
worried and scared but the parents were happy and grateful.

Rogers' next trip was to South America with the Rotoplast program,
where plastic surgeons repair cleft palates and lips, as well as other
deficiencies. Again, the pictures of the eyes tell a big story. Of
course, our club supports both programs. Several of us were reminded
of trips to Mexico for the Corazon super-build projects, and the
famous trip to El Fuerte. Roger mentioned the District support for
Corozon and told the story of the grand mother who hugged everyone at
the conclusion of the home our club helped build. I was making a
video of it and you can't write drama like this (if anyone missed it,
i will send it to you, just ask). Rogers message was a take off on
the Rotary slogan, "Service Above Self:" Service to Others.

Text by Tom Lott

If you missed the meeting, thinking well, the DG is making a speech,
how boring - you missed a real treat. Roger is right up there with
our own Tom Novotny! By the way, he only mentioned membership,
District Conference (June 9-12, 2011 in La Jolla), and foundation
giving in passing. He did his homework and knows we are already
working on and doing a good job in these areas.
There weren't a lot of happy or cross fines. I didn't mention the
Texas Rangers nor Ken Fong the SF Giants. Duncan's chess champion son
had a big hit as safety in football; I sent his name to Mack Brown,
who needs help saving his job.

Every time I miss a few meetings and return, I am reminded how
important the fellowship and personal contact means in the Rotary
experience. Ted Baker and I found a connection we had never known,
despite many meals, golf and fishing together. Its difficult to get
that being an occasional visitor. We were happy to see Bill Kink,
doing well, and remembered Brett and Bernie during both the Board and
during regular meeting, who we all miss a lot.

Hope to see you all next week!

Tom Lott

Meeting of 09/28/2010

Text by Tom Lott

His Honor Mayor Goodman failed to show up for our meeting today -
probably got some scheduling wires crossed. I'm betting he will make
up for it in a rescheduled visit. Interim President Bill Pierce
managed to produce an entertaining meeting with a healthy dose of
fines and cross fines, thankfully no tap dancing. Past President Mike
Sexton was fined for appearing in the Business Press, yet again, at a
power broker meeting sponsored by Nevada State Bank. Mike's fine will
go toward paying for books on a grant that Francie is working on. Ken
Cox donated his raffle winnings last week to the Interact Club
formation. Yours truly was mercilessly blasted with reminders of the
UCLA victory against the Longhorns at home. Lynn Price announced she
felt my pain, her teams also losing. (Tom Novotny is wondering who or
where Austin Peay College is now that Wisconsin beat them 70-0.
Proving that the Big 10 or so can whip up some weak schedules with the
Big 12 and Pac 10 or so.)

Francie Summers announced that she and Duncan Lee had an extremely
productive meeting with the elementary principal of the Agassi
Academy, and that we will be involved with that school this school
year. Also, Ted Gurr announced that Jerry Kops and Ted Baker will
lead the Interact club formation at West Tech. These are the final
two pieces of our school support for the year. Ken Cox announced the
tailgate party is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 18 this year. There
will be the ubiquitous sign-up sheet in the weeks to come.

I had hoped to fill the page with anecdotes from Hizzoner, but it will
have to wait until next time.

Tom Lott
Sept. 28, 2010

2010/09/22 Meeting

Posting by Tom Lott:

In Bernie's absence I offered to write the weekly newsletter. You'll
see I need a good editor, but ploughing ahead...

After a productive Board Meeting, we had our best Rotary meeting in a
long while. Not only did we have a good speaker, Brett Grant showed
up. Everyone was thrilled to see him. He looked great though
admitted he was tired. He had spent the morning at the radio station
(KSHP-AM) and did a sports show on air. Big day for the first time
out except to visit a doctor! He still has to take a weekly chemo
treatment, which unfortunately falls on Tuesdays, but promised to make
it to Rotary meetings when he is able.

Bill Pierce reported that Bernie is doing well but has a ways to go to
get stronger. Bernie resigned as President and the club, in fact, but
several continue to lobby for his return to the club in the future.
Bill Clink is reported to be swimming, but we did not have any more
information on his condition.

At the Board meeting a major discussion was the new Interact Club at
Southwest Tech. We decided to sponsor the club if we found a willing
lead Rotarian. And to pursue the Interact Club at West Prep. Ted
Gurr, Lynn Price, Francie Summers and others have done a wonderful job
leading us down these paths. While Southwest Tech may not technically
be a school of needy children, there will be many in that situation as
it is a magnet school. The expense to start an Interact Club is
small, and the students raise most of the money themselves. If
needed, we agreed to "pass the hat" for any extra funding necessary.

Other actions at the Board Meeting was to amend the budget to
eliminate a Foundation Grant and an unspecified International project
in the face of fewer fund raisers. With those deletions, and without
King of the Hill, Super Bowl board and March Madness board the Charity
budget will be about 3,000 in the red. We have money in both bank
accounts, as always, so this is not a concern. The club is looking
for someone to step up and run the Super Bowl and March Madness
boards, which could put us in the black for the year.

All Board Meetings are open to all club members, and copies of the
budgets or financials are available to anyone that asks (just ask Jan
or myself).

Our speaker was an FBI Agent, Scott Hunter, who prosecutes white
collar crime. We have a lot of it and he gave some true life
examples. I noticed Ted Baker and Duncan Lee squirming in their
chairs at times during the presentation. I always wondered what they
did in that innocent looking office building on Sahara. The drive
pretty nice cars, but I've never heard any mention of yachts or the
Bahamas. Unless someone makes an anonymous call to Agent Hunter, we'll
probably never know. Ken Cox won the raffle and pulled the blue
marble to win the pot, estimated at several hundred dollars.

Next week: Mayor Oscar Goodman! The mayor joins us every year and is
our most popular speaker A great opportunity to bring a guest.

Tom Lott
9/22/2010