Club Information

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Marana in Marana, AZ

Marana

Service Above Self

We meet Tuesdays at 7:00 AM
Nana's Kitchen
8225 N. Courtney Page Way
Marana, AZ  85741
United States of America
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Current Events
Marana Rotary Club Vrtual Meeting Information
 
Marana Rotary Club has gone to virtual meeting to be safe from the Virus
Visitors are always welcome to the Marana Rotary Club
Please text to 520-909-9162  with  your name by 5:00 PM Monday
A text will be returned explaining How to join our virtual meeting
Marana Rotary Club is using ZOOM and it very easy
Rotary Meeting July 28, 2020
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
 
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting; July 28, 2020
 
Today’s meeting opened with a beautiful, bucolic photograph of our American flag taken by our own Laura in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  We welcomed two guests today.  It was nice to re-welcome Janet Pipes.  Janet is a friend of Bob and previous speaker on fiduciary elder abuse.  We were also pleased to welcome Jill Jorden Spitz who joined us at Laura’s invitation.  Of the 14 members and guests present at today’s meeting, and their represented children and grandchildren, three were CDO high school alumni, three current CDO attendees (children and grandchildren) and one a bitter Marana High School alum.  Despite rivalry, a well-represented home-grown group. 
 
Announcements:
  • Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) applications are now being accepted.  Mary will put forward a student from… CDO, who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and kindness in her community. 
  • The District Governor visit has been moved.  Diane Ventura Goodyear will be visiting the board on the eve of Nov. 30th and the club the following morning, Dec. 1st. 
  • President John made a pitch for contributions to the Arizona Vocational Fund.  We have put forward quite a number of vocational students for this scholarship program, contributing to significant changes in the lives of individuals and families.  Please consider donating to this 100% tax deductible charitable foundation.
  • Rotary International insurance has announced that it is excluding disease and copywrite infringement from its coverage.  The endless reaches of COVID. 
  • Mary will obtain a photo of the bank account holding our Global Grant monies, while all is put on hold due to COVID
Happy Bucks Highlights
  • Dan has returned from an ‘amazing’ trip to Henry Lake, Idaho, where he was struck by the beauty of this part of the U.S.  As evidence, he shared with us an awesome photo of a visiting moose who peacefully walked into the lake and swam away after Dan’s friend came a bit too close for its comfort. 
  • Don and Richie will both be attending Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) this year.  I believe Richie will become a graduate.  Don also shared that he is putting in an application for the Arizona Redistricting Commission.  We need thoughtful people to contribute to that conversation and process, so thanks to Don.
  • Dave and Mary’s children are all enrolled to begin the new school year online.  A new era in education.
 
Our Program today was provided by Jill Jorden Spitz, Chief Editor of the Arizona Daily Star newspaper.  Laura, a former journalist herself, introduced Jill, speaking to her ‘perfect temperament’ for such a position, being both grounded and impeccably ethical.  Jill is also a native Tucsonan and cares deeply for her community. 
 
        The Arizona Daily Star is an award-winning newspaper dedicated to investigative reporting, not simply news coverage.  COVID-19 has had far-reaching impact on the Daily Star’s functioning; from how staff are working, to morale, to revenue.  COVID has not, however, impacted the quantity or quality of reporting done by journalists and editors.
    One hundred percent of the Arizona Daily Star tasks are being done remotely.  Business meetings have moved to Microsoft teams, journalist interviews, when can’t be done electronically, are done with distancing and masks, and photographers are using longer lenses to achieve greater distancing.  There are advantages and disadvantages to the remote model.  Jill’s office open-door policy allowed for spontaneous and meaningful conversations between her and all staff.  Neither these conversations nor organic exchanges of ideas between journalists are able to take place currently.   Without those mechanisms, both reporting and staff morale have been negatively impacted to some degree.  However, most journalists have enjoyed the efficient use of time and productivity afforded by the remote work.  When circumstances allow for a return to brick and mortar, the Star will likely implement a combined workplace model, with a shared work-space environment used in combination with remote work. 
    Just prior to COVID, The Star had put their massive, 220,000 sqft, building, up for sale.  Its home had once housed itself, the Tucson Citizen, and a printing press. The Citizen has been defunct since 1990 when it vacated.  Additionally, a reluctant, budgetary imposed decision was made to stop operation of the printing press in 2018 and move printing to Phoenix.   Sixty people lost their jobs with the close of the press, which had been particularly welcoming to people with hearing impairment where other employment opportunities aren’t.  The Star’s felt loss was represented in Jill’s deportment. 
    Needless to say, COVID has had substantial impact on The Star’s revenue.  When stay-at-home orders first went into place, there was an 80% loss of revenue from advertisers.  Revenue loss has become less dire since then but continues to be off by 20%.  All staff were furloughed or took salary cuts.  Additionally, The Star has been forced to consider creative means of generating income.  75% of revenue is from the newspaper’s printed product.  While circulation is strong, printed circulation continues to decrease while digital increases.  To compensate for income loss, the newspaper has implemented some programs.  It is beginning to apply for grants, and it is offering Sponsored Content.  All sponsored content must meet strong standards to ensure that it presents journalism in-line with the views of the sponsor by that does not support the sponsor.  Other income generators that are being considered are events and marketing skills.  Skills that might be offered include research writing and photography.  Investigative reporting, with its research, documents, and lawyer vetting, is by far the biggest cost in reporting.  The Star is dedicated to maintaining enough revenue to continue to produce this important work.
    Another development in the COVID environment is increased negativity toward media.  In the past few years resentment toward the press has ramped up, but since COVID, the negativity has gotten much uglier.  Not only are there the more typical cries of ‘fake news’, but additionally measures like trolling of commentators and reprehensible memes about reporters have taken a toll on journalists’ mental health.  We are grateful the Arizona Daily Star journalists continue to persevere and serve us under these conditions. 
    Many thanks to Jill Jorden Spitz for allowing us insight into the life of the Arizona Daily Star and of the staff and journalists who provide us with a basic and necessary ingredient to Democracy; free press. 
 
Submitted by Mary Straus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting July 21, 2020
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
 
 Meeting; July 21, 2020
 
Today was a pleasant meeting of fellowship.  We missed some members but kept them present by telling stories behind their backs (see what happens…).
 
Announcements:
  • Jill Jorden-Spitz, Senior Editor of the Daily Star, will be our speaker next week, the 28th.
  • Jamsheed Mehta, Town Manager for the Town of Marana, will be our speaker on Aug. 4th. 
 
Service Project Update:
Marana’s Town Manager and Mayor would like us to place a Peace Pole prominently in the area of the municipal building complex.  We will wait until a time when gatherings are safe so the pole can be dedicated with a ceremony.  Landscaping around the Peace Pole will be discussed at a later date.  Suggestion was made to include a Rotary Peace Scholar as a speaker at the ceremony, and a suggestion was made to invite the Marana Chamber.  Speakers and invitations for the ceremony will be confirmed at a later date. 
 
 
A wide range of topics emerged from our Happy Bucks:
  • Don is in Seattle and had a beautiful view of the comet over the Puget Sound.  Many of us expressed envy because of our prohibitive cloud cover.  Peter dashed any hopes that may’ve been for seeing the comet in the coming days; heavy rains are in the direct forecast.  Bad comet timing, but bring on the rains!
  • Despite contending with Phoenix rush hour, Peter spend a lovely few hours in Flagstaff, scoping the site where he will be installing a new telescope for the Navy.
  • With his normal cheer, Bob lamented 97 degree weather at his home in Virginia.  He also told us the story of his step-daughter’s family suffering COVID after attending a social event.  After treating COVID prevention as if it were prevention of Anthrax exposure, Bob and his wife are trying to make wise decisions about caring for their grandchildren, who may or may not be carriers, while their parents endure and recover.  Our hearts go out to all.
  • Harold has taken advantage of sheltering at home to sort through 31 years’ worth of collected papers and things.  Things included boxes never opened.  He also took his first venture outside of home to one of his local restaurants.  Beside enjoying getting out and eating, he was heartened by seeing and saying hello to familiar people.   A good reminder to all of us that connection to others is important. 
  • Becky beamed telling us that she is busy daily with work until the afternoon when June knocks on the door for Grandma time.  I don’t think Becky could be a prouder grandmother.  She and her husband have been doing driving tours of new housing developments to stave off the weariness of sheltering at home.
  • Laura shared with as a video of black sludge and debris running down a local wash; by-products of the fires that devastated over 95,000 acres.  She also weaved together moments from others’ stories to wander down her own memory lane:  Laura spent 15 years in Flagstaff where Peter had just been.  There, as a reporter, she was privy to unrevealed information about a scientist there tasked to trace Anthrax (Bob mentioned Anthrax).  One of Laura’s pastimes while living in Flagstaff was, like Becky, driving to see new houses being built.  When, after 15 years, Laura left Flagstaff, she, like Harold, found unopened boxes that she had to contend with. 
  • Dave took some time off to go to Pinetop, lakeside, with his kids.  There they all hiked and frolicked and, generally, had a wonderful time.  Now, he’s back at work. 
  • John took his three 14-yr old grandsons, none of which are siblings, to Mt. Graham to camp and fish.  The fishing was horrible and John suffered the night cold after he  sacrificed  his sleeping bag to one of his grandsons.  However, a great adventure and a nice reprieve. 
 
With time left before adjourning, we digressed into pet stories, some too tragic to tell.  Upshot, don’t ever entrust your pets to John or Randy. 
 
 
Submitted by Mary Straus
 
 

 
 
Rotary Meeting July 14, 2020
 MINUTES OF ROTARY CLUB OF MARANA MEETING
7-14-2020
Submitted by Randy B, who is filling in for Mary Straus …… please don’t be to judgmental or you will be the next scribe.
Attending: John D., Don, Mary Bob Laura, Dan, Peter, Harold, Beckie, Richie, Carl and our special guest Brian Clymer (brother of Laura and presenter today). Welcome Brian.
Randy gave an overview of our club member’s suggestions for being engaged in our community. He and John will speak soon because Randy is leaving for a three week trip to his cabin in the northwestern US where it is so remote very little phone connection is available.  Sorry my friends.
Happy bucks …. I am sure I missed a few of you but gave it a college try:
Dan, going to Idaho for a week fishing; for some reason Harold celebrating the quarantine (this might have been misunderstood by me). Randy going to Washington, will socially distance but attending a funeral and wedding. Bob is happy he is now $65.00 in the hole for happy bucks and is bobbing on the lake.  Makes me wonder how deep the rest of us are.  I will match Bob. Don is happy that he is leaving Thursday for Seattle, and overjoyed that he has completed the first draft of his book.  It is about his last vacation a few weeks ago to Antarctica, Wondering if it is possible for him to relax.  Mary was on the meeting as she was driving to San Diego to have a few days with friends … cool you can Zoom while zooming down the road.  Laura is happy she is busy at work, please note her brother (whom she works with) was in attendance today. Lynne is excited that taxes are to be completed tomorrow.  Said she was happy but while smiling was simultaneously sobbing in her granola. Peter was happy that he was on Mount Lemmon checking out the telescopes. Gave us a peek at how is looks up there.  Most of the damage noticed was on the far side of the mountain. Beckie, happy her daughter is selling to her partner Jackpot Veterinary Clinic.  They seem to be exploring different specialties. Richie, working on projects around the house and sees “too happy” that he has a new mattress. Carl only person wearing a tie, says his family is good. John took his teenage grandchildren fishing and seemed quite excited.  He is the only one allowed to bait his hook.
Guest Speaker: Brian Clymer, Esq., Attorney at Law.  Brian is received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and later came to his senses and attended the U of A law school He is a wildcat through and through. He is noted for writing for the handbook of workman’s disability for the AZ Bar Association …… I know this wording is probably wrong ….. However, let’s us celebrate my attempt to be nearly accurate. He is on the Board of Directors of Legal Aid as well as a mentor to others and again, our own Lynne’s brother. 
Brain started by indicating the Social Security was developed to provide economic security to all of us in our golden years (I for one am not seeing the gold). Social Security Disability developed in 1950 for those whom have paid into the system could be paid in part by the contributions made by the employee while they were working. It is not SSI …. Which is for economically challenged folks.
To be eligible for Social Security Disability they must; prove the inability to work for 12 months or, I assume be terminal, they must show medical records showing demonstrating the disability 3-4 months before the agency makes a decision. 75% of the claims will be denied. They may include the necessity of the claimant to see an Agency physician. The claimant with then wait another three or so months for a determination.  Again the denial rate is about 90%. They are able to ask for a hearing that will take about a year.  Average monthly payout is $1,237.74, a surviving spouse will receive $1194.01 and dependent children about $886.49.
The process over the years has appeared to become more adversarial.  Remember this is not an entitlement program.  Those filing must have exhaustive documentation, letters from family are often ignored.
Brian offer to see a friend of a member for no fee for an assessment.
Thank you Brian, great presentation.  Now about your sister ………..
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting July 7, 2020
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
John Dooling presided over his first of 52 meetings, professing his lack of technological know-how.  Not to be outdone by technology, however, he opened our meeting holding a traditional, albeit tiny, American flag to which we pledged our allegiance.
 
Guests:
Liz Cohn was a cheerful and welcomed guest at our meeting.  As one of the District’s Zoom administrators, she introduced herself during our club’s first use of our District’s Zoom account. 
 
Announcements:
  • Board Meeting this evening at 5:00 pm
  • Governor Diane Goodyear visit will be with the Board on the eve of the 24th and with our Club on the 25th. of August
  • Denise is on a leave of absence until further notice, having to work additional hours to compensate for an employee who has Covid.  We will miss her and wish her well.  Laura has agreed to perform the Program duties in her absence.  Thank you, Laura.
  • John has asked Randy to reach out to two organizations, Youth on their Own (YOTO) and Habitat for Humanity, to see if we can partner with them on a District Grant.  Randy will update Board tonight. 
 
Not having a formal program today, Happy Bucks was extended with enjoyable conversations. 
 
Harold celebrated the 6-mo. birthday of his granddaughter while sheltering at home, and Liz welcomed the birth of her first great-grandson.  Congratulations to you both!
 
Carl has his whole family home together for the first time in a long time, and he is grateful. 
 
The 4th was celebrated in a wide range of ways by members.  From not leaving the house or eating hotdogs, to grand fireworks on a lake, to quiet time with friends, to safeguarding the house from neighborhood celebratory gunfire.  I believe all would agree that this 4th was the oddest in all of our lifetimes.
 
Many members were invigorated this 4th  weekend by the musical Hamilton, praising its extraordinary artistic power and its historical breadth and accuracy.  Members were inspired to read biographies on Grant, A. Burr (the villain), Hamilton, and more after watching the musical.
 
Peter was gracious enough to provide an impromptu program, as many members have voiced an interest in what he does and in his current project with Chinese astronomers:
 
    Peter is the founder and owner of Astronomical Consultants and Equipment, Inc.  Amongst many other contracts, Peter is currently building a Spectrograph for a telescope in China.  What I understood, which may be completely wrong, is that Peter has built a spectrograph that takes light from an object in space through a lens, which runs the light to a mirror, which runs the light through a cable to a lens with a prism, which refracts the light, which is bounced to a camera that takes its pictures.  The refracted light contains markers of particular elements in each of its colors that will shift in time so that serial images can be compared.  Things like heat and speed of objects in space can be measured using this mechanism.  If I’ve represented even one element  of Peter’s Spectrograph correctly, I shall feel accomplished. 
    Peter is currently in process of developing very detailed assembly instructions in lieu of traveling to China to assemble it himself.  Because communication between China and the U.S. requires permission from the central government and is granted in restrictive ways, Peter’s manual has to be verrrrry well written.
    Peter has other contracts that include a Korean telescope on Mt. Lemmon, a Naval Observatory in Flagstaff, and Kitt Peak.  He has contracts with observatories and telescopes all around the world and, normally, travels more days than not.  An extraordinary mind with extraordinary stamina.  Thank you, Peter.
 
Submitted on July 7, 2020 by Mary Straus

 
Rotary Meeting June 23, 2020
Marana Rotary Zoom Round-Up for 6/23/20
Attendance: Richie, Laura, John, Harold, Don, Peter, Randy, Mary, Bob, Denise, Lynne, Carl. Guest: Jim Nook, Oro Valley Rotary Club.
 
Announcements: Check the District newsletter.
 
Happy Bucks: For Lynne, who is on vacation from work is this week.
 
Lynne's Joke: Did you hear the rumor about the peanut butter? I’d tell you but I don’t want to spread it.
 
Reminders:
  • Randy mentioned that he will be happy when we get to go to a restaurant or movie.
  • Richie reminded us to keep supporting the firefighters fighting the Bighorn fire with our thoughts and well wishes.
Richie expressed his appreciation to all for the hard work everyone put in this year. He was distraught about the service projects that we didn’t get to, however noted that we donated about $7,000 to various organizations: such as MCAP, adopted two families for Thanksgiving and Christmas, GAP Ministries, Peace Pole project, Interfaith Community Services, and supported Nana’s Kitchen during the pandemic. This doesn’t include the many contributions our individual members made to various annual fund and programs such as Tour de Cookie, Rotary International, and Ride to End Polio.
  • Richie offered a special thanks to the board; to Denise and speaker program she puts together; Randy as membership chair; Mary as Foundation Chair; Carl taking on Tour de Tucson aid station; Dan for his work on the Tour de Cookie event, raised about $6,000, and the Poker Tournaments.
  • Thanks to Don, John and Randy who made Richie’s attendance at the International Convention in Germany really special.
Mary said Richie’s district grant proposal was a really good idea and that she hoped we could re-start it. Richie said that we returned the district grant money, but the board hopes to apply a portion to executing the grant with the high school.
 
Installation of 2020-21 Marana Rotary President
 
In first-ever Zoom installation, Richie installed John Dooling as club president for 2020-21.
John noted that we have very experienced group for the board, which includes: President-elect Randy B.; Treasurer Lynne H.; Secretary Harold B., with Randy and Mary will take the minutes; Members-at-Large are Bob B. and Don J.
 
John then discussed ideas for membership growth and services projects, such as “CHRPA”, which stands for Community Home Repair Projects of Arizona. John also mentioned that there is a position open for a Youth Services Director. John said he plans to get and personally introduce himself to business and professional leaders, and is looking forward to this year and leading the club.
 
Final expressions of gratitude from club members to Richie for his time as president came from Randy, who said, “Thanks to Richie for your efforts.” Mary added, “Thank you for keeping the club together during the pandemic.” Don and Denise expressed their thanks as well. And then we all gave Richie a very “Zoomy” and virtual round applause.
 
Meeting was then adjourned.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting June 16, 2020
Marana Rotary Zoom Round-Up for 6/16/20
 
Attendance: Richie, Laura, John, Harold, Don, Peter, Randy, Mary, Denise, Beckie, Lynne, Dave, Carl.
 
Announcements:
  • Virtual Social with District 5500. Hawaiian-theme. On last day of RI Intl. Convention.
  • June 28 – Installation for District President. Rotary facemasks available!
  • Handbags of Hope – toiletries-filled handbags needed for victims of domestic violence.
  • Mary: Reminds you to donate to Annual Fund help (Paul Harris credit)
  • Not billing for fourth quarter – five members has paid annually and were given the option to donate, which it seems they all have. Thank you!
  • Five or Six Paul Harris Society members, now is a good time to donate.
  • District Grant – can put in a broad description by July 15 as a placeholder. Actual grant proposal due August 31.
  • Discussion about the Rotary International Conference. It is important to send our president to RI Conference. The budget indicated that our club’s contribution was down to $1,000. Don agrees. John said the board was trying to think of ways to drive our costs down and maybe a fund-raiser to supplement the travel/cost of sending to the international conference.
  • John and Lynne are putting together a proposed budget, and they will bring it back to the club in a couple of weeks.
  • John will be sending out a survey to find out when people want to resume in-person meeting. Thoughts are a hybrid meeting? Maybe re-start in-person meetings in August, suggested Denise.
 
Happy Bucks for: Carl had a nice week with family in California.; Randy went to a granddaughter’s wedding in Nevada; Happy Father’s Day to all our dads; and Beckie and her husband celebrated 50 years of marriage.
 
Next week: Year-end wrap and installation of new Board for 2020-21.
 
Guest Speaker: Randy Young, who spent 3 ½ years as manager of a jaguar reserve 55,000 acres in northern Mexico, Sonora, has started “La Tierra del Jaguar” (Land of the Jaguar).
 
La Tierra Del Jaguar is 25 acres used as a demonstration site/conservation site to teach collectives about permaculture gardening because individual gardening helps reduce our carbon footprint. The goal is to create an opportunity to teach collectives to spread how create sustainable gardening. Plans include building a classroom and solar irrigation to teach classes and demonstrate how to it’s done.
 
The long-term benefit is to decrease depredation and create a healthy ecosystem so the jaguars don’t hunt cattle. Extreme over-grazing of ranchlands has stressed the habitat, creating predator conflicts. Straggler male jaguars come up from northern Mexico because of this. Jaguars have a wide territory. The way we grow food impacts the environment in a multiple ways, and results in scarcity.
 
Read more about La Tierra Del Jaguar here: https://latierradeljaguar.org/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting June 9, 2020
Marana Rotary Zoom Round-Up for 6/9/20
Attendance: Richie, Laura, John, Harold, Bob, Don, Peter, Randy, Mary, Denise, Beckie, Dan.
 
Our meeting was called to order by Richie, supplemented by a “JibJab” video of “singing and dancing” club members, courtesy of Mary.
 
Among the announcements:
  • The Rotary Leadership Academy is worthwhile. The program can be completed at home on your own pace. It’s really good training. All virtual. Very beneficial.
  • “Handbags for Hope” is asking for donated handbags, along with toiletries for victims of domestic violence. Collection will be at the September District meeting.
  • Lynne updated our Tour de Cookie “numbers” which were: net $6,265 + $400 resulting a total $6,700 from Tour de Cookie. Richie thanked Dan C. for organizing the Tour again and its success.
  • John D. announced a $2,500 AllState donation to the Marana Rotary Foundation.
Happy Bucks
  • Harold – we’re getting back to some kind of new normal
  • John – had a nice time in Greer, can back the “old way” from 666 Clifton/Morenci
  • Randy – son and his wife went to Morenci to job interviews, declined the job offers because too much like a “Stephen King” book
  • Peter – 14 “guests” javelinas. Things getting back to normal.
  • Denise – We made goal for the month. Business has been good. Son graduates from boot camp in two weeks. Virtual graduation on June 25.
  • Don – my daughter and son-in-law doing well in NYC.
  • Beckie – just a joy and blessing to have time to spend with granddaughter and drove through Saguaro National Park East. Only diners at the Olive Garden for our 50th wedding anniversary meal.
  • Bob – 4-year-old grandson visiting and enjoying boat rides on the lake. Nice swimming in the lake.
  • Mary – I’m overwhelmed by everything that’s going on and sad about the state of things.
  • Dan – “I don’t know, I don’t know.” about the school year. We were in Pinetop, and it was a zoo up there.
  • Richie – Charley’s birthday turned 2.
Richie then handed the meeting over to incoming President John Dooling, who noted that it was unlikely that we be gathering for installation of the new officers.
 
Among the decisions that have to be made are whether we should do away with or keep breakfast? John said we do make a little bit of money off it, however eliminating breakfast would reduce dues by about $300. One thought is to offer Danish rolls and coffee and still meet at Nana’s Kitchen. Harold would step and be Secretary but doesn’t want to take minutes. Mary offered to help taking minutes. Denise can help with bringing breakfast rolls. Peter suggested that we adopt John’s suggestion for a bring-in breakfast to Nana’s Kitchen.
 
 
Rotary Meeting June 2, 2020
Marana Rotary Zoom Round-Up for 6/2/20
Attendance: Richie, Laura, Harold, Bob, Don, Peter, Randy, Mary, Dave, Carl, Denise, and guest Ethan Orr.
 
Announcements:
  • Applications being accepted for being District Governor 2023-24. Next week we’re going to discuss future for meetings going forward in COVID-19. Virtual Rotary International Convention, June 26, sessions start at 6 a.m. our time. June 28 – Virtual installation of Diane
  • Mary: Harold’s birthday yesterday (6/1). Talked with Bouba this morning, using a hotel as a hospital. Things are a bit dire. Peter and I spoke to Veterans Memorial and the town manager office, both are interested in the Peace Pole. Peter said the cemetery is essentially closed to normal business.
  • Denise: We had four stores looted in Scottsdale, Austin, Portland. We’re in good hands, locally.
Guest speaker was Ethan Orr, Assistant Vice President of UA Government Affairs and Community Partnerships, to discuss the UA Land Grant projects and other ways the Government Affairs and Community Partnerships Department and the University of Arizona applies science to help address issues that face our state, from eating properly to living longer.
 
Ethan Orr told us about the land grant system because no one really understands the land grant concept, which is a distinctly American concept. The idea is that knowledge should be accessible to everyone but practical and applicable. The land grant system sets aside land and money to build universities.
 
Orr said we often overlook that investment in education spurred both the Industrial Revolution and Technological Boom by making education accessible to people. Multiplier effect of manufacturing creates more jobs. 2.5 jobs created by every manufacturing job. 6.2 jobs created by tech job.
 
One problem though is job concentration for a particular industry (ie, automotive). But as industries “mature”, a diffusion of jobs takes place. For example, “precision health” which uses what we know about a person's genetic code could bring about a "democratization of health".
 
 
Rotary Meeting May 19, 2020
Marana Rotary Zoom Round-Up for 5/19/20
Attendance: Richie, Laura, Harold, Denise, Carl, Beckie, Bob, Don, Peter, Randy, John, Charles. Guest: Charles Heberle.
 
Announcements:
  • Sat. June 20, first general session of Rotary Intl. Virtual Convention.
  • District Conference set for Sept. 11 and 12 at Tubac Golf Course.
  • Received a check for the gift cards, and Richie will pick them up from Javier
Happy “bucks”
  • Randy wants to remind everyone to make contributions to the annual programs, such as the Paul Harris Society members ($1,000 per year). Call Randy or Mary for more information.
  • Bob – staying on the lake, boat-to-boat. “Fine” myself for going over time for my presentation last week.
  • Denise – going back to work today. Deep cleaning for most of the day. Very interesting. Clients by appointment for now. Happy to be back to work. Corporate has provided the cleaning supplies. Went up to the White Mountains to go kayaking – saw some eagles.
  • John – Passed that Rotary Grant test!
  • Don – Got to “dine out” last Friday with Randy. Tucson Festival of Books is providing a platform where you can watch interview with authors.
  • Richie – Boy Scouts reopened office – using a staggered staffing.
  • Peter – Got permission from UA to go to Mt. Lemmon to repair. Every car park was full over the weekend. Go during the week.
  • John – Will be in Greer in the first week of June.
Guest speaker Col. Charles Heberle, who served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, talked about his efforts to build bridges between the US and Russia. He is third-generation Rotarian and a member of Lakewood, WA Rotary. He is also a member of the District Peace Conference. His dad was a flight instructor at the Marana Army Air Field during WW2.
 
Col. Heberle retired from the Army, and the Russians approached him to establish democratic principles in Russia. He spent five years there and worked to establish a Rotary club. In 2006, a Russian district was formed and insisted on district dues and that was too much for members to pay. Efforts are being made re-establish the club. In all there are about 78 Rotary clubs in Russia and all of Russia is in one district.
 
Rotary’s Intra-country Committee’s mission is to knit together former enemies through Rotary.
Peter asked if the Rotary club is allowed to operate freely or is it monitored and what can we do to help? Charles’s take on Russia is that it is very much like a dictatorship, as Putin has deliberately patterned himself after the czars. The Four-Way Test, however, is attractive to Russian Rotarians.
Meeting closed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting May 12, 2020
Marana Rotary Zoom Round-Up for 5/12/20
Attendance: Richie, Laura, Peter, Harold, Denise, Bob, Don, Mary, Beckie, Randy, Dave. Guests: Rob Tommasone, DG Ellie Patterson, DG 1130 Tony Sharma (London).
 
Announcements
  • MCAT has 85 students on track to graduate this May, according to Denise Coronado.
  • Move Zoom meetings to 7 a.m. John Dooling’s brother-in-law passed awary.
  • June 28 – Governor installation at Desert Museum.
  • June 20-26 – Rotary Intl Virtual Convention.
  • Next week – guest speaker Charles from Rotary who works on improving relations between Russia and U.S.
  • Should we send graduation cards to MCAT graduates. Randy, Denise, Mary, Laura. Richie will reach out to Denise for list.
  • Harold talked to John Zwick and he’s doing well, and his wife is still in a nursing home but gets to come home three times a week. Need to send a card to him.
  • Javier is trying reopen today; Denise reopening by appointment only.
Our very own Bob Bishop presented about his amazing achievements as a pilot and past president and owner of “Missile Defense” Aerial Productions Intl.
 
Bob’s connection to Arizona goes back to his father who flew B-52s in World War II at just 21 (the navigator was 17!). After the war, Bob’s dad landed a job with Frontier Airlines and flew out of Phoenix Sky Harbor starting in 1951. Eventually, Bob’s dad started Marsh Aviation, the world’s largest agricultural crop dusting operation, which was Bob’s “playground”. He worked with his dad, who was a major influence on his life, until Bob’s father died in a crop dusting flying accident when Bob was 16.
 
When Bob turned 20 he competed in flying races with airshow pilots. This led to a career in flying and building BD-5 jets, which are the smallest manned jets, in airshows. The BD-5 jet was plane flown by James Bond in “Octopussy”. Bob had a Coors Light Silver Bullet sponsorship, too.
At one point, his company helped the Joint Cruise Missile Defense group. Our armed forces were really good at shooting cruise missiles but not sure how good we were at shooting them down, Bob said. BD jet reminiscent of a cruise missile. The Joint Cruise Missile Defense Joint Test & Evaluation was a five-year program. The inability to detect low-altitude missiles was a major threat.
The BD-5 is the world’s smallest manned jet with the following capabilities:
  • Speed: 270 knots
  • Maximum endurance: 2.1 hours.
  • “Quick turn” capabilities
  • Low observability.
  • Unrestricted low-level operations.
  • Low-level night missions – modified aircraft
  • Can assemble in a matter of minutes.
  • Used for military exercises and gaming.
  • NORAD missions.
It was an amazing presentation from our amazing Bob Bishop!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting May 5, 2020
Marana Rotary Zoom Round-Up for 5/5/20
Attendance: Richie, Laura, Peter, Harold, Dan, Bob, Don, Mary, Beckie, John, Carl, Randy.
Announcements:
  • Denise is sending off her son to boot camp for the Air Force. Randy’s brother passed away recently.
  • Rotary Intl’ Virtual Convention June 20-26, 2020. “If they are doing a Peace Conference prior to, it’s worth it,” said Mary.
  • District News: Fund-raisers coming up: Vail Rotary Chili Cookoff and Casino on June 6. Most have been moved to the fall.
Updates from club members in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • Dan – MUSD bought billboards for our seniors, yard signs for the seniors. It’s been tough on the graduating seniors, Dan said.
  • Carl – Most of what we’re doing is going on OK. There are opportunities in corporate bonds for investments. Web-based seminars for clients. “Good to see all of you,” Carl.
  • Randy – “My practice dropped pretty dramatically. Seeing people person-to-person is really important.” Mixture of face-to-face and zoom.
  • Mary – “I’ll probably do tela-help in the future.”More depression and anxiety. Re-entry to work is on people’s minds.
  • John – I had a grandson who had to pitch a tent in his backyard. “I’ve lost a few customers. Last week I’ve had people apologize to me that they are shopping their insurance and having to leave.” Claims are down which is why most insurance companies are giving rebates.
  • Bob – Under stay-at-home orders until at least June 10. Getting some stuff done around the house, a little consulting on the side. He’s found a cause to take on: the percentages credit card companies are charging, which is as high as 29.9%. One bill in Congress can change it. Going to cause major discord in our society if we don’t. He’s also realized an underlying sadness to having to cancel travel and other plans.
  • Peter – observatories still closed. International travel is difficult to impossible. Applied for a Payment Protection loan and received $65,000. Otherwise just working here, making the components here, but can’t get paid until we install.
Happy Bucks:
  • John – Went fishing at Riggs Lake, near Safford. Caught 10 trout each day. Last weekend.
  • Richie – BSA providing content, neat activities moving online, Dutch oven recipes, brought in people to connect.
Speaker next week will be our own Bob Bishop   this will be interesting
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting April 28, 2020
 
Marana Rotary Zoom Round-Up for 4/28/20
 
Attendance: Richie, Laura, Peter, Harold, Don, Denise, Mary, Bob, Beckie, Dan, John, Randy, Dave.
 
Announcements:
  • Need two members to take the Grant Workshop (John, Mary, Randy), it’s online.
  • Harold: Daughter and Son-in-Law adopted a child.
  • John: Attended Zoom meeting with incoming DG President. Folks talked about what they are doing with their grant money, etc. Fairly well-attended.
  • Dan: School District is not good. “We have the budget set and we’re paying people.” He still goes into office. Schools are opening up in Germany by staggering kids, but it’s a mess here. We’re scared of the what budget could bring because of the loss of sales revenue. The district has mobile “wi-fi hot spots” on just eight buses. Avra Valley where it is the most challenge for Marana school kids.
  • Mary: Zoom fatigue is an issue.
  • Don: Some clubs still doing ‘happy bucks’.
 
Our special presentation came from Don J. with “Antarctica: 3 Worlds. 1 Voyage.”
 
Don and his wife embarked on an expedition cruise to Antarctica. A total of 162 passengers and crew were on board. They landed first in Ushuaia, S. America and traveled across the Drake Passage, which took 2 ½ days. South Shetland Islands were first sighting of land. They went out twice a day, sometimes on Zodiac cruises to look at glaciers and wildlife. Kayaking to see penguins, humpback whales, through ice flows, and landings. Penguins everywhere and never got tired looking at them. Leopard seals everywhere. Expedition guides gave mini-lectures about the geography, the ice, wildlife, etc. they explored Neptune’s Bellows, an extinct volcano and saw former whaling structures. They moved from day to day -- anchor and go on shore to different islands and then landed on the continent. Also landed at Port Lockroy, old observation and experimental station for the British from 1944-62. It was amazing to nature in action. They had a choice of mountaineering, camping, and kayaking but those were weather dependent activities.
 
On the return trip, they were supposed to dock at Ushuasia on March 18th, but Argentina government said they were not allowed to dock because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crew then steered toward Buenos Aires, and it noticeably got warmer as they sailed north. They were not allowed to dock at Buenos Aires, so they then headed to Uruguay. Docked on the 25th in Uruguay, but had to have had proof of travel, masks, gloves, and were taken directly to airport. Five days of anxiety to trying get flights home while traveling up the coast to find a place to dock. Fortunately, they made it home from an Incredibly memorable trip
 
 
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Club Executives & Directors
President
John Dooling
President Elect
Randy Brooks
Treasurer
Lynne Himmer
Secretary
Harold Burtzloff
Immediate Past President
Richie Benner
Member-at-Large
Don Jorgensen
Member-at-Large
Robert Bishop
Membership
John Dooling
Marana Rotary Foundation
Richie Benner
The Rotary Foundation
Mary Straus
Newsletter Editor
Harold Burtzloff

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MCAT Student Of The Month 

MCAT - Marana Career & Technical High School is an optional opportunity for Marana High School and Mountain View High School students to learn and earn academic credit in a non-traditional educational setting. 

The Marana Rotary Club has been honoring students from MCAT for over 21 years. 

Below are Students for Rotary Year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020

Alexas Rowe              Sept
 
Jayden Dempsey       Oct
 
Alexis Falcon              Nov
 
Matthew Fedrick       Dec
 
Matt G                        March
 
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