Flag Salute: Laurie Basile               Invocation: Elain Bern                  America: Elain Bern

GUESTS:
                Les introduced Visiting Rotarian Rick Mendoza who will be presenting our program today.  Marie will introduce the guests from the Valley Village in presenting the Honorees.  Javier introduced Melissa, representing Diana, from the Airport.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
                Jim has prepared a surprise Valentine Luncheon where we are to bring a significant friend.
                April 25 is the Track Meet and about 2-3 weeks before that Don Reinken will host “the workers’ at the Track Meet so we will be ready for that big event.
HAPPY BUCKS:
                Robin is happy that Max is celebrating another birthday.
                Judy celebrated getting the cast off her arm.
                Jim was happy to see that Wynne has graduated to wearing long pants.
                Rich is happy the Polio Pig is back and passed it around to get more Polio Bucks.

PROGRAM:
                Jim introduced Rick Mendoza as the Governor who went “Swimming with the Fishes” in an exciting way.  Rick, who grew up in Texas, was happy when he moved to Palos Verdes and discovered the Pacific Ocean in the 1960s.  He started with fins and snorkeling and then got into scuba diving and bought an underwater camera.  Three years ago he found his old slides and even a video and got them onto modern technology to be able to present his fantastic collection of bright colored animals of the sea.  Those who weren’t there missed many wonderful pictures, and this editor loved seeing the may fish, octopi, sea anemones, and coral, but can’t do justice to the presentation in words.
                Rick joined Rotary originally “to be noticed in his community.”  But then he learned how it felt to do good things locally and even went to India to dispense polio drops. Rotary projects like that helped him see real meaning of life on earth. 
                On a cruise to Tahiti he saw the ocean clean and clear and realized Jacque Cousteau was real visionary and on our shores the dirty water, silt and plastic pollution is caused by our trash.
                As he signed the book plate, Rick pointed out that Literacy was the theme for his year as Governor.
 
HONOREES:
                Today Jo Ellen Krumm and Mitch Bloom brought the two honorees from Valley Village.  Mary Jo is one of the friendliest clients at Valley Village in Winnetka.  She reads to the clients and helps them.  And, we also discovered that she has a very nice singing voice.   Byron is very helpful.  At the developmental center he does not need to be asked to help as he offers his help to anyone in need.  Every other weekend he goes home.  Robin presented certificates and gift cards to both honorees.

RAFFLE:
Dave won the $40.00 in the 50/50 today and Alice got to take home a mysterious “black box.”