Stories

We enjoyed a blind Merlot tasting today. After the Sideways jokes were told and people stopped wondering what blind Merlot was, Tom Ferrier gave us an interesting overview of why Merlot is both loved and reviled. The wines were a 2009 Chateau Lauvie St. Emilion and a 2009 Frei Brothers (Penny Shurtleff’s family) Dry Creek Reserve Merlot. Both were excellent and very different.

Thanks to the Rock Bottom Brewery. They donated several no-longer-needed television sets to Promises 2 Kids through us. The sets will be very much appreciated.

Our speaker was Kaitlin Elliott, who spoke about Promises 2 Kids and the Polinsky Center. Both organizations work with foster children and victims of child abuse, more than half of whom would otherwise end up on some kind of public assistance. Promises 2 Kids attempts to give these children some kind of structure on which they can build a normal life. She was joined by Omar Passons, an Attorney who once was a child who would have been a beneficiary of  Promises 2 Kids.

Promises 2 Kids needs volunteer mentors to work with some of its clients. It’s a worthwhile and satisfying thing to do. Contact Kaitlin Kaitlin@promises2kids.org for more intormation.

This week's meeting attracted 12 Torrey Pines members plus 4 visiting Rotarians (Ray Ellis from San Diego club 33, Mike Giorgione--our speaker--also from club 33, and our regular winter visitors, Ann-Shirley and Rob Goodell from Vancouver, Canada).

President Tom Fisher is away on business (monkey-business?) so Pres-Elect Jerry Zampa presided.  He'll be going to PETS this weekend for his 18 hour course in gavelling the bell, but he's such a quick study he's sure to master it in only 8 or 10 hours. 

Carol and Bill Irwin were also MIA this week, as they've gone to London to visit the Queen (or was it their grandaughter, who's a Princess but not the Queen?).

Announcements

Thanks to everyone who came out last weekend to help sort, organize and store the 4,000+ stuffed toys that will eventually be delivered to sick kids in hospitals.  Gordon Shurtleff urges everyone to come help again this Saturday at 9 am at the storage place.  Don Yeckel reminds us that the club will need to pay for storage and other costs, so this project will benefit from members' contributions to the club foundation.  Tom Fisher will match any new donation up to $100, so now's the time.  Nancy Stoke observed that the club also received 1,000 or so plastic roses, complete with mailing tubes, and would like to find a buyer so we'll have some cash to cover other project expenses.  Patrick McIntyre reports that Jessie Hurst may be able to help with that part of it.  A good community service project here, with cash and hands-on effort from members to benefit sick children.  That's Rotary at its best!

Wine club

Jim Likes was so proud of the Two-Buck-Chuck he brought that he went on about it for some time.  He says that it was a very good vintage--Tuesday.

Program

Our speaker was Rear Admiral USN (Retired) Michael Giorgione who, after 34 years of active duty, is now an engineer and leadership training facilitator with RBF Consulting.  His topic today was National Energy Programs, on which he made 4 points:

1. The US currently doesn't really have a national energy policy and, therefore, we lack direction, investment and progress on this vital topic.  Congress is missing the opportunity to move the country ahead on this issue.

2. No one energy source can solve all our problems alone.  Nationally, our electricity is currently generated 50 percent from coal, 20 percent from nuclear, and the rest from natural gas and renewable sources.  It's likely that a mixture will always be needed.

3. Developing energy for the US should be "pro-business" and not just "pro-subsidies."  Business investment and development will be a better source of answers than relying on incentives like subsidies.

4. Innovation is a must, which means a major emphasis on research and development will be needed.  California can be a leader, as it was in popularizing energy-efficient refrigerators in the 1970s and catalytic converters later.

In the question period, Admiral Giorgione observed that it may take a crisis to get the differing points of view on this topic all working together.  The Department of Defense is exploring some ideas but more will be needed. 

Club website

I hope everyone has had a chance to check out the club's new internet face on ClubRunner.  Each member should ensure the accuracy of his/her contact info and keep it up to date.  Membership changes and attendance will be managed by Tom Fisher (wearing his Acting Secretary hat).  The Pitch and stories on the homepage will be updated by Bill Irwin (Editor) with assistance from Bob Goodman (PR Director).  Good luck.

Au revoir for now

Ann-Shirley and I leave for Canada next week and, again, we want to thank the club for your hospitality during our months in your town.  We really appreciate the opportunity to participate in Torrey Pines activities while we're here.  Please note that, after 5 consecutive years of organizing the Robbie Burns party, we'll be taking a rest next year. 

We'll see you when we return in November.  Have a great spring and summer!

Rob

No medical updates this "Pitch".  Although I think Jim Likes' cane is hollow and can be filled with wine.  So many people missed the Valentine extravaganza because of illness that next year word is that we will have a meeting at Scripps for immunizations.

Guests  included Wade McKnight from Club 33, the managing partner of J.H. Cohn (accountants and consultants).  Bernard was sandwiched (easy Louise) between two French ladies, Chef Michel Stroot and Milene Sylvie Sean (La Jolla boutique).  Helping our speaker was Patricia van Damme, director of the executive MBA program at SDSU.  Let's try to entice them all over to the dark side.  That would be Torrey Pines Rotary.

Shelley told us about a RBB sponsored fund raiser in Balboa Park this Saturday night.  "Taste of San Diego Craft Brews" will be a beer and food pairing/auction.  Call Shelly for a discount.  Tom, with his camera, was Alan Funt revisited, as he shot anything that moved. 

Art Engle took us flying in his B-24 and other planes.  Power Point pictures showed a trail of strafing and bombing runs.  He punctuated his action shots with the title of his talk, "Fun Times".

There was a bored meeting afterwards.  Fuzzy math was the topic du jour.  The board approved $950 to move and store 1,649,215 stuffed animals (and other undetermined goodies).  These will benefit Nancy's Care N Share program beneficiaries, Rady Children's Hospital and Hospital Infantil.  Also, Rotary Power Hour was discussed as a future format for our weekly meetings.

Ed Itor - watch for the "News Brothers", Goodell and Goodman, upcoming.

Following torrential rains, Obama's "State of My Campaign" and president Tom healing and traveling Gordon opened the meeting by almost breaking the bell..and our ear drums. Jim Roche and Richard were the only MIAs. It was, in fact, Robbie Burns' birthday (and Robbie Goodell's son, Gordon's). Be sure to check out the Home Page for Robbie's review of last Saturday's celebration at the Yeckels.

We had Joy and Dave Rice visiting from Madison, WI. She is a member of the world's seventh largest club there in Madison. Her husband is a Kiwanian (hissss). No. We admire anyone doing good. Tad Wolff was our guest, as well, assisting our speaker with IT back-up.

This Day In History now requires that we ask AND answer the question. Isn't there a game show like this? But then if you sit at Dr. Mike's table it is no fun. He has gone on the same site that morning and knows all the answers. 

With it 80 outside Bernard brings in The Big Kahuna red along with another blend. Nancy brought along a Castlle Rock pinot and a cab. Tom Ferrier had the wine club grasping their chests (and their wallets) when he reminded us we shouldn't spend over $45.00 on a bottle. Well, Tom, you and Max are up for next week. We'll be watching. I noticed en route to coffee that one of the tap handles at the bar pours Legally Red. I'll have to bring Carol by. Wonder if they'll stand her a pint.

Our program, Water4Life Ministries, was presented by four month Rotarian Rudy Shaffer. A child dies every 20 seconds from drinking polluted water. Cholera, eboli and typhoid are the culprits. A $46.00 filter can change all that. Rudy and his group raise money to fund distributing these filters to third world countries. They are good for 100 gallons a day and up to a million gallons over their life

ROCK NOTES  Don't forget to RSVP to Gordon for theValentine party on February 8. 858-483-4990. I saw Philippe yesterday. Said he's trying to get by for a make-up. Only three people have access to the ClubRunner data. Lacking spouses' birth year this person (I ain't telin') took it upon himself to make all the women one of two ages. Who done it? What ages did he use.

Ed Itor 

 

   

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.

An optimist is the human personification of spring.

Here you can post little tidbits of information, reminders, or anything else!

Each December, Torrey Pines Rotary chooses a local family that is struggling financially and provides Christmas gifts for the entire famiiy.   Club member (and President-Elect) Jerry Zampa and his wife Tina have provided leadership on this project for a number of years, working through the Home Start Program in San Diego.

This year's family consists of five family members.  Angelica is a single mother of four children ranging from 10 to 4 years of age.  Due to financial difficulty, Angelica and her children are living with her sister in a small apartment. 

 Angelica is seeking guidance through Home Start to become self-sujfficient.  She has enrolled in school to obtain her GED and is actively searching for employment.  She is also working with her case manager to get help with finding affordable housing so that she can move into her own apartment.  Angelica is working hard to achieve her goals and overcome barriers.

 Members the Rotary Club of Torrey Pines have all contributed to a  fund to make this Christmas a memorable one for the family.  Gifts have been purchased and wrapped to be delivered to the family in time for Christmas.