Volume XXI
Number 24

Tuesday
Dec. 20, 2005

Coming Programs Every Tuesday Dec 20 Acorn Soup Dec 27 To be determined Coming Events April 1, '06 District Assembly College of the Redwoods Fortuna, CA May 19-21, '06 District Conference Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa Kelseyville, CA Birthdays Dec 5 Hendrik Smeding Dec 9 Loren Gardner Dec 13 Dale Smith Dec 20 Frank Toller Dec 21 Roger Adams Wedding Anniversaries Dec 3 Doug Ernst (Carolyn) Dec 13 Mike Thomas (Ann) Dec 16 Rex Stults (Gilian) Dec 21 Charles Bell (Peggy) Dec 27 Jim Haslip (Alexandra) Dec 30 Dale Smith (Lilian) Club Anniversaries Dec 1, 1990 Dick Rogers Dec 7, 2004 Linda Alioto Dec 7, 2004 Gene Armstead Dec 7, 2004 Doug Ernst Dec 7, 2004 Pinney Coreen Dec 12, 1995 Kathleen Patterson

ROTAPLAST
"Saving Smiles — Changing Lives"
By Gene Armstead
 

November 29, 2005. Visitors today were visiting Rotarians Dr. Frank Leake from Calistoga (one of our speakers), Chuck Schramm from Sacramento, and Tracy Calkins (formerly of our club) of Napa

JOHN SALES

Dr. Frank Leake and our own member John Sales presented a program on Rotaplast, the mission of which, through the auspices of Rotaplast International and supported by Rotary clubs from around the world, is to provide free reconstructive surgery and treatment for underprivileged children worldwide, to provide education, and to advance research in the prevention of cleft lip and palate. John and Frank shared their experiences, challenges and satisfactions in bringing the miracles of reconstructive surgery to children with cleft lips and palates in disadvantaged families and countries. They described how the relatively simple surgeries can make a dramatic difference in the children's lives. Prior to – or without – the surgery, those children are frequently treated as outcasts by their societies and even their families, largely as a result of a faulty understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved.

(Photos courtesy of Rotaplast.org)

Rotaplast  ... Continued

The goal of Rotaplast International is to eliminate the incidence of untreated cleft lips and palates in children worldwide by the year 2025. To reach this goal, Rotaplast employs the following strategies:
 

• FACILITATE medical missions to provide surgical intervention for children who are not able to receive treatment or who are in need of more complicated medical procedures than can be provided by local physicians.
• COUNSEL families about ways of preventing cleft palate anomalies through diet, vitamin supplementation, and life style changes.
• COLLABORATE with local health professionals on follow-up care and on development of comprehensive cleft palate programs where feasible.
• LEARN about the incidence and causes of cleft lip and palate anomalies, including both genetic and environmental factors.
• EDUCATE local physicians and specialists by urging them to work with our teams to broaden their skills in treating cleft anomalies.
• FOSTER international goodwill and fellowship by working with Rotarians as well as with health officials in host countries.
   

Rotaplast International, Inc. was founded in 1992 by Rotary Club of San Francisco President Peter Lagarias and Dr. Angelo Capozzi in collaboration with the Rotary Club to facilitate a surgical program in La Serena, Chile to treat children with the cleft lip and palate anomaly who would otherwise not receive surgical intervention. This initial historic mission took place in January of 1993.

As a project of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, and for the first three years of its existence, Rotaplast completed one surgical mission a year. The following two years, Rotaplast completed two missions a year. In 1996, Rotaplast became a separate non-profit corporation and has since consistently expanded its number of annual missions. In April of 1998, Rotaplast operated on its 1000th child in Cumana, Venezuela. The 2000th child received surgery in August of 1999 during a trip to Maracaibo, Venezuela. In January of 2001 Rotaplast helped its 3000th child and by the end of 2001 almost 4000 children received curative reconstructive surgery

Although a San Francisco-based organization, Rotaplast works nationally and internationally by partnering with Rotary Clubs, other organizations, and individuals across the United States and at mission sites. It provides a vehicle for medical professionals and non-medical volunteers to actively engage in projects that build international friendships and promote goodwill and understanding among the peoples of the world.

ALAN FOWLER

IMA HOLCOMB

CHARLES BELL

SUZAN RADA

GENE ARMSTEAD

FINEMASTER

Bells were rung by Rob Andreae, Suzan Rada, Rex Stults, Frank Toller, Charlotte Williamson, Lydia Wilson, Charles Bell, and Jim Wright.

Finemaster Alan Fowler called upon Stephanie Johnson, Ima Holcomb, Laura Bourret, Doug Ernst and yours truly, all of whom had been inducted into the Club within the past twelve months. To affect his nefarious scheme, Alan subjected the new members to a test consisting of five questions. Each person started with a fine of $5, which was increased by $5 for each incorrect answer. (He capriciously added $5 to my fine for my exercising my right of free speech and questioning his dubious authority.) You may want to try this test yourself, in the privacy of your home.
 

• Where does the name of this publication, the Nairator, come from?
• On a traffic signal, is the green light on the top or the bottom?
• How many sides does a stop sign have? ("Two" – front and back – isn't the correct answer.)
• How many hot dog buns are in a standard retail package? (Extra credit: How many hot dogs are in a retail package?)
• In the northern hemisphere, does water turn clockwise or counter-clockwise as it goes down the drain?

Laura shaped her airplane into the unique aerodynamic shape of a ball and threw it further than Al's, whose own similarly-shaped up airplane managed to hit a post early in its maiden flight. And sorry, Phil, I didn't mean to hit you with the airplane, but you really should have ducked sooner.

Recounting the Events of Pearl Harbor
By Polly Keegan

December 6, 2005.  Guests included Rob Andreae's father-in-law, Phil Toohey's guest Ada King, who returned from 4 months in Nepal, Lydia Wilson's guest Doug Durard, Dave Moreland's guest Don Farrar.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jim Haslip brought a few dictionaries that will be distributed to all 3^rd grader after Christmas. Jim also announced that John Harrington is the recipient of a Public School Foundation grant. Anyone is welcome to visit his class on December 15, from 9 a.m. to 11 am.

Phil Toohey announced a climb to the top of Mount St. Helena on Saturday, December 10^th.  It will be about 2.5 hours to the top and 1.5 hours down.

JIM HASLIP PHIL TOOHEY

FINE MASTER – CAROL SOBCZAK

CAROL SOBCZAK

Carol Sobczak did a number on many of the membership with her questions on that Universal Fellow – William Shakespeare.  She voiced several well-known quotes from various plays such as Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard the III, Twelfth Night, etc. and asked many of us the source – the play and the speaker. Lots of us (25 in total) were fined!

PROGRAM: ROGER ADAMS AND PEARL HARBOR

ROGER ADAMS

Roger Adams is 78 years old, he was in high school when the war ended, and he was in 7^th grade on December 7, 1941.  He remember exactly where he was that day, playing tennis when he learned of the bombing. In February of 1941, his father was called to active duty, and his family moved to Washington.

It is understood that Japan felt it could not take on the U.S. and win in a prolonged war. However, in a surprise attack, it could be successful. At 7:55am, on December 7^th, Japan launched two waves of airplanes, and by 9:45 they were gone. Japan had a total of  360 planes. 2403 U.S. men died, 1178 were wounded. Japan lost 28 planes, 5 midget submarines, and less than 100 men.

• The defense of Pearl Harbor was the responsibility of the Army, not the Navy as one would think. In 1941, Japan and China were at war, and Japan was a very aggressive nation.
• Between April and December 7^th,  the U.S. and Japan traded several proposals for peace, but could not agree.
• In June, the U.S. halted all petroleum shipments to Japan.
• In July, Japan drafted one million men.
• In July, Roosevelt froze all Japanese assets in the U.S. He closed our ports to Japanese ships, put an embargo on sale of petroleum products, and put General McArthur in charge of U.S. troops in the Far East.
• In September 1941, U.S. intercepted a Japanese message that reported on ship movement in Pearl Harbor.
• In November, the U.S. intercepted a Japanese message to the Japanese consulate Oahu asking for a regular Pear Harbor ship report twice a week.
• On November 25^th, Japan presented its final proposal for peace. The U.S. returned a 10-point counterproposal.
• On December 2, Japan approved the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• On December 6^th, Roosevelt made a personal plea to Hirohito for peace.
• On December 7^th,  U.S. Secretary of State Hall met with Momuro of Japan to discuss Japan's 14-point response proposal for peace. Momuro arrived in Washington at 2:05 est. or exactly 8:05 in Pearl Harbor.
• The attack had already begun at 7:55am with the first wave of planes. At 8:40 a.m. the second wave attacked. Before 10 a.m. all planes were gone.
• All U.S. carriers were at sea at the time, one of the big disappointments to Japan.  Also, it is wondered why Japan did not deploy a third wave of planes to take out the power and fuel storage.

Christmas Party at Markham
By Jim Haslip

December 13, 2005. "Service Above Self" awards were given to Jeff Epps and Rob Andreae for Vocational Service for the stunning park in front of the high school. Phil Toohey and District Governor Charlie Kelly made the presentation. There were over 100 donors and countless hours of volunteer time to make the project a success.

JEFF EPPS   ROB ANDREAE

Craig Bond's county Children's Choir set an angelic tone to the meeting with many sweet familiar holiday carols. The highlight was the solo performance by Michael Caldwell who transported us back to Bethlehem with "O Holy Night." Craig was assisted by Mary McKeever, a music teacher at the Catholic School.

Fine friends, fine food, and fine wine were placed around round tables for 8, draped in red cloth, and adorned by candelabra to create a warm and festive atmosphere. The catering was by Knickerbockers.

President Bill opened the event, which was planned and arranged by John Sales. Father Mac's invocation touched on the themes of the holiday season of peace, reconciliation, and friendship. There were about 70 Rotarians and guests to enjoy the event.

Joice Beatty informed us that the Christmas Hospital Fund is grateful for the $840 raised this year. Rex Stults is leaving the Chamber of Commerce. Jonathan Briano announced his engagement to Kelly.

Rotary Membership Moments

Week 25 – December 18 – 24, 2005  Has your club or District sponsored Ambassadorial scholars and Group Study Exchange Teams?  Have they returned to your area and have they given a program at your club?  Remember you gave them a wonder opportunity.  Create a Foundation Alumni committee and keep track of these potential members.  Invite them to your meetings and recruit, recruit. They know Rotary already so attract them to membership. Week 26 – December 25 – 31, 2005 Why not create a program on the Rotary Peace Fellow program, centered at seven universities through out the world?    Show your membership how Rotary is working every day to bring conflict resolution and peace to the world.  May there be peace in your valley, in your District and the world at large. Happy holidays relax and enjoy. Week 27 – January 1 – 7, 2006 Have a new member education program, call it a fire side chat or a new member assembly, make it part of the induction process into your club.  Invite new members and their partners to an evening of Rotary education; highlight one or two avenues of service.  Give them the in-depth knowledge that will make them want to stay in Rotary. Educate and Retain Members   Happy New Year

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