The “small but mighty” Marana Rotarians greeted another beautiful southern Arizona day this morning as they made their way to Nana’s Kitchen, run by our very own Rotarian Javier Teran. President Mary Straus opened the meeting, Don Jorgensen led the song,  and –whoosh—we were on our way!
 
Maeve Johnson reported on just how much fun was had at the Marana Founders’ Day parade! The Parade is sponsored every year by the Marana Heritage Conservancy to showcase Marana's schools, children and businesses. The Rotary Club of Marana's entry was Tow Mater, a tow truck from the Disney movie Cars. Our 2016 Woman of the Year, Marsha Johnson, Student of the Year, Bryann Valdez, and Teacher of the Year, Kathleen Neighbors, rode on Tow Mater. Our Interact Club from Tortolita Middle School came along for the ride and tossed candy to onlookers. It was a great way to honor our 2016 Award Winners and thank the Interact Club members for their work during the year.  Thanks go out also to Club members Dan Contorno, Clint Kuntz and Maeve Johnson who volunteered to judge the parade entries.
 
 
 
 
 
ALL HANDS ON DECK for the Tour de Cookie! Dan updated us on preparations underway. This is a big event and everyone’s help will be needed. Check out the website at www.rotarytourdecookie.org.
 
 
 
 
 
Today was also one of those special days when we honor the MCAT Student of the Month. This month’s student is Danielle Barrickman, who gave us some of her background and story of perseverance in the face of obstacle after obstacle. Danielle will graduate soon, and is interested in pursuing a career in women’s health. She was accompanied by her boyfriend, her two children, and one of her favorite MCAT teachers, Chuck Erskin. The picture here shows, from left to right, Danielle, MCAT Principal Denise Coronado, and Mr. Erskin.
 
 
 
 
Calendar Update: 
 
Mon Mar 21 2016
Club Board meets at 5:30pm at Maeve’s Edward Jones office.
 
Tues Mar 29 2016
Our Club’s 5th Tuesday social at Taste of Texas, 5:30 – 7pm. Spurs optional.
 
Sat Apr 9 2016
It’s getting closer! Get your cookie on!
 
 
Breaking News:
 
Every time there are 5 Tuesdays in a month we take the 5th Tuesday off! Instead of a morning meeting, we have an evening social, and March 2016 provides just such an opportunity. So put a note in your calendars: no morning meeting Tues Mar 29. Instead, let’s get together at Taste of Texas at 5:30pm to socialize. We thank Harold Burtzloff for organizing this event. See you there!
 
 
 
 
 
    
Guest Speaker:
We were very pleased to have Mr. John Green visit us today, along with Lisa Benzing. John spoke candidly about the loss of his daughter, Christina Taylor Green, in the Jan 8, 2011 shooting. He reminded us about her interest in public policy at the age of 9. She went to the event that day to ask Gabrielle Giffords a question about global warming.
 
Next to the current Christina Taylor Green park (where our upcoming Tour de Cookie starts) is a 2 acre plot that the Green family wants to develop by way of a public/private partnership. They will need $85,000 from private funds, and Pima County will add $52,000 in in-kind donations plus long-term maintenance of the park. The AZ Sonora Desert Museum will build a butterfly area within the new park that will act as a monarch way-station for their annual migration to Mexico.
 
John Green’s presentation was inspirational and hopeful in a forward-thinking way. We thank him and Lisa for sharing their ideas with us.