As always, our meeting started with a song. Thanks to Mike Danielson for the great job he does leading us. Starts the meeting out with some fun. BTW, we’re looking for someone to lead the song for the next couple of weeks. If you’re willing to “step up,” contact Mike (firstave301@gmail.com).

Dick Martinez led the flag salute, Yvonne Flint our prayer, and John Sun introduced guests. Thanks to Brian Hall for being our greeter for this meeting.

A rarity: no birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or Rotary anniversaries this week.

Julia Brady and Rob Stockly from our fellow Rotary Club in Sierra Madre visited with us today. Sierra Madre Rotary sells a delicious rub as their major fundraiser and several Arcadia Rotarians made purchases.

Bruce Marrs presented a club flag from the Rotary club of Forest Grove, Oregon, where he had attended a makeup meeting. Bruce reminded us of the days when Rotary really stressed attendance and, if you missed a meeting, you were expected to make-up by attending a meeting of another Rotary Club. If that make-up was at a distant club, club flags were exchanged.

Our fellow Rotarian T. G. Metzger has generously purchased a table for Rotary at the Arcadia Police Association event at the Le Meridien Hotel on Saturday, November 18. Will be a fun event, with a magician and a Frank Sinatra-type singer for entertainment. Best of all, because of T. G.’s generosity, there is no cost to attend! Right now we have six signed up and room for four more. If you’d like to come, contact me.

Next Friday is, of course, our regular meeting, but it’s also – get ready – First Friday Fun Day. This month the fun will be at Imy & Rick Dulake’s house. This is a casual event, with beer, wine and light snacks. Imy has arranged for a karaoke machine and it’s sure to be a good time. We have over 30 signed up. If you’d like to come (and spouses are welcome and encouraged to come) contact Imy (imydulakerealestate@gmail.com) ASAP. Nominal cost of $10 per person will be added to your next bill.

Your president recently fined Brian Hall for some travels and -wouldn’t you know it – Brian and Betty were off again, this time to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg. Of course, being known far and wide for his fairness, your president didn’t feel that he should fine Brian again so soon. Seeking council from Miguel Cea as to whether Brian should not be fined in the interest of fairness, Miguel agreed that Brian should be spared. So, your president fined Miguel $25 for Brian’s trip (somebody’s gotta pay to keep the lights on around here).

Patricia Hall was next to come to your president’s attention. She was fined for her picture enjoying an adult beverage at a USC Arcadia Hospital event. 

Speaking of Imy, when asked about having lunch with a former Rotary District Governor, she allowed that it was so. Turned out that Imy met this gentleman at an event, struck up a conversation, and ended up being invited to lunch (along with Rick) at a very nice country club. It turns out that the former District Governor hosted the lunch, so we knew Imy had some money left. She donated $50 of it to Rotary.

Our program was by Michael Cao, Arcadia cardiologist. Michael is a busy guy; he’s also an Arcadia City Councilman. Dr. Cao gave an interesting and informative talk on how the heart works, what can go wrong with it, and how to avoid those problems. Of course he was kinda pushing one of those “eat right and exercise” scams, but we all learned a lot and his program sparked a lot of interest.

Thanks to all who attended. If you missed the meeting, you missed a lot of fun. See you next Friday.

Bob Harbicht

President