UPDATED SCHEDULE APRIL/ MAY

APRIL 2008 - Rotary Magazine Month

01 Tuesday Gordon Nakagawa Captain US Navy

03 Thursday Dictionary Presentation 2 PM At ISM schoolin seaside Joe Mateo

08 Tuesday Jane Parker

09 Wednesday Board Meeting 5:00PM

15 Tuesday Eugene Ferris, Ireland

18-20 District Annual meeting at Tenaya Lodge

22 Tuesday Jeff club assembly Meeting

25 Friday I-Help at All Saints - Carmel Dennis Fike is the contact

29 Tuesday Peter Purdue NPS Dean

MAY 2008 (Team Six) - Joe Sweeney is the team leader. Celebration Month

06 Tuesday California Ships to Reef Eleanore Rewerts

13 Tuesday Joan Bizzozbro Care Packages for US Troops

14 Wednesday Board Meeting 5:00PM

20 Tuesday Jeff club assembly Meeting

27 Tuesday Sam Farr

Ambassadorial Scholar First Two Months

iew from EL PIPILA, a statue overlooking the city

After two months of living, volunteering and making friends in this beautiful city, I now feel like I can at last officially declare myself a bone fid Guanajuatense! I finally feel settled and a part of everything around me. I know my way up and down many of the hills and corners, which are unique to Guanajuato and so much a part of its very special charm. I can now call some amazing people my friends and I am becoming increasingly fluent when it comes to many of the local colloquialisms. I love it here and am so grateful to the many people who made this possible and who have been so very kind and made me feel so welcome. Thank you, thank you very, very much.

I have certainly been blessed with regard to my travels and I must confess that I am often moved to tears of joy and gratitude when I look back on my many international adventures and think of the truly incredible people I have met along the way, the sights, the sounds, the smells and the flavors. I wish everyone could have the travel opportunities I have been given, the desire to step outside of what is traditional and get to know and to become part of something entirely different and unfamiliar. Living in a foreign country is the most unbelievably rewarding experience, meeting new people, learning about their history and customs, learning their language, experiencing their culture and growing to understand and to see how in spite of the many differences, we are, in the end, more alike than different. We all want exactly the same things for ourselves and our families - peace, love, harmony and the joy and security that comes from feeling that you belong and being able to share your laughter and our tears with a our loved ones in a community that truly cares and supports us.

I am very excited that this time, my experience has been and will be different to those in the past, it will be less rushed and busy and the reason for that is that this time I am an academic year scholar and that status allows me the luxury of time to actually relax a little and enjoy the every day challenges of setting up a new life in a beautiful and exciting new country.

Guanajuato, Mexico is a colonial city in central Mexico located five hours north of Mexico City and four hours east of Guadalajara. The population of this colorful city full of gorgeous architecture and winding roadways is around 100,000 inhabitants. Guanajuato was built around the silver mining boom of the colonial era and is renowned for steep slopes and narrow streets that twist around the hillsides and disappear into a series of tunnels. University students, as well as internationally recognized musicians, artists, and dancers also add to the city’s diversity. In addition to its historical importance, Guanajuato, is also distinguished by some unusual points of interest, including the Museo de las Momias, a museum of mummies; The Museo Iconografico del Quijote, a shrine to Cervantes; and the birthplace of Diego Rivera (world famous Mexican painter). Most importantly for me, Guanajuato, is an ideal walking city; however, endless and steep cerros (hills) quickly turn a fun leisure walk into intense exercise! Guanajuato, has no traffic lights or neon signs, creating an extremely enjoyable atmosphere, peaceful, yet with plenty of life, and plenty to see.

Not only have I settled into my new home these past two months, but also, I participated in two Rotary associated projects (Colima and San Miguel de Allende) and made three Rotary presentations regarding the scholarship program. Throughout this year I will continue to make presentations to Rotary clubs around the area/country (depending upon where opportunities lead me). :) Additionally, I am enrolled in master level courses at the Universidad de Guanajuato that compliment my M.A. degree in Educational Linguistics from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

These past two months have been filled with wonderful experiences and blessings and one of these has been the opportunity to meet a Rotarian from Reno Nevada, Bob Hardenbrook and his wife, Rosanne. They have taken me in and provided a home away from home. An example of their kindness and good humor was when I shared with them my craving for a good old American Hamburger, they promptly invited me to dinner and what do you suppose was on the menu, HAMBURGERS!! :) Additionally, they introduced me to Project Amigo (Colima Mexico), an educational program that I will soon be posting information to. Since Bob’s Spanish is limited; I have also found a key role at the local Guanajuato Rotary meetings on Wednesday nights (9 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.!) I am now the official interpreter! Unfortunately, Bob and Rosanne will be leaving at the end of this month, but I should like to take this opportunity to thank them for helping me with my initial transition and for their many kindnesses and support when I needed it most. Thank you and God speed, I will miss you.

Currently the Guanajuato Rotary Club is working with clubs in Salinas, California and in Indiana to install 15 water tanks in surrounding communities. Additionally, they are also busy preparing for the district conference in May, which will be held here in Guanajuato. I have very much enjoyed my Rotary experiences over the last months and as I continue to volunteer and be involved, I find myself gaining a much better understanding of the Mexican clubs, projects, and interests. In addition, I am presently looking into local service projects, in the field of education, with which I can become involved in the following months.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is here and time is flying by. As spring arrives there are many concerts and plays preformed around the city. In addition to the culture and socialization heating up, I have also lately had some unpleasant encounters with some less attractive and hospitable residents of my beautiful little neighborhood - creepy-crawly creatures – a scorpion even, right above my bed!!! I am now armed and ready; hopefully my next encounter will not be as traumatic or as embarrassing as my first!

Thank you for this opportunity. ¡

Hasta Pronto!

Samantha

New Member

Welcome Michele to the MPSRC. Frank D. is her sponsor. Michele is a lifelong Monterey resident whos father was also a rotarian. Her classification is construction management. We are sure she will be a valuable member to our club!!

New Member for MPSRC

Welcome to our newest member Mr Ed Hoyt. Ed is sponsored by Ed Holden and yes 2 Eds are better than 1. Ed has spent most of his career in radio station ownership. His current classification is real estate. We welcome him to our club and I am sure he will be a valuable member.

Ambassadorial Scholar in Guanajuato, Mexico

Scenes from Guanajuato. More to follow!!

New Member MPSRC

Our newest member Dr Richard Bend. PDG Don K. giving Dr Richard his pin and badge. Richard was a member of our club a few years ago and has rejoined. His classification is chiropractic medicine. Please introduce yourself. Welcome back Richard!

Updated Schedule

FEBRUARY 2008 – World Understanding Month
05 Tuesday Chuck Harmon, Head of York School
12 Tuesday Debbie Hale
19 Tuesday Scott Lund El Nino
26 Tuesday Club Meeting

MARCH 2008 (Team Five) – District Perfect Attendance Month
04 Tuesday Club Meeting
11 Tuesday Club Meeting
18 Tuesday Karen M. Larson Sports Center
25 Tuesday Club Meeting

Dr Jeff going to Maryland BRRRRRRRRR

Dr Jeff is moving to Maryland. He has been a great help in getting our exchange program up to speed. The club thanks him and hopes he can find a club in Maryland. Hopefully a morning club so he has to scrape the snow off his car real early.

Were gonna miss that sweet swing!!!! Comments Welcome

Our newest member

Sheila M. our newest member inducted today. Sponsored by Vicki N. Her classification is executive coach. Our club looks forward to getting to know her and utilizing her talents to help our cause. Welcome Sheila!!

Club buys tickets for children to attend Nutcracker

The Club underwrote the purchase of 100 tickets for children of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County to attend performances of “The Nutcracker” produced by Ballet Fantasque at Santa Catalina Performing Arts Center this Christmas season.

Pictured here is Pete Tansill with several of the club’s kids. Both Pete and his wife, Sheila, have been performers in the production for several years.

San Carlos restoration project

Our club is supporting the San Carlos cathedral restoration project in Monterey. This building is the oldest architechurally designed building in California. Thanks to Joe M. for bringing this worthwhile project to our attention.

New Members

Welcome to Rhona W. and Greg M. New members inducted in December and should represent our club very well. I would like to encourage members to get to know them as soon as possible. Rhonda will be joining Joe M. and the public relations committee. Greg has not selected a committee to work with yet. Im sure both will be a great addition to Rotary and our club.

Updated Schedule

DECEMBER 2007 – Family of Rotary Month

04 Tuesday, Kim Lorenz -World Vision

08 Saturday, Christmas at The Murrays. Bring an unwapped toy, favorite food/beverage/guest
11 Tuesday, Ms Cathy Leiker, Project Manager, San Carlos Restoration

12 Wednesday, Board Meeting 5:00PM Chads office

18 Tuesday, Kurt Gollnick, 1st capital bank

25 Tuesday, NO MEETING – CHRISTMAS

JANUARY 2008 Team Four) – Rotary Awareness Month

01 Tuesday NO MEETING-HOLIDAY

08 Tuesday, General Carns

12 Saturday, Club Presidents’ Mid-year Conference

15 Tuesday, Jean Brenner Tribal India

23 Tuesday, Mayor of Salinas Dennis Donohue

Monterey Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar

Kimi T. sponsored by the Monterey Rotary club introducing herself to the community. She will be here for 2 years. Kimi is from Japan. Hopefully she will come back and update us on her progress.

Taste of Monterey Membership Event

So everyone had a great time at the taste of monterey on cannery row. Great turnout, good food and some tasty wines were sampled. Thanks to all who participated and especially Ed and his committee for pulling it all together. I would consider this a successful event and hopefully we can build upon it in the future.