Santa Rosa West Coming up

March 29, 1999

The Life of a Teen News Hound

Opening

My…My…My…De ja vu! The meeting of March 29^th, 1999 was brought to order by ex-president Jim Valinoti. Mike Moore wanted to know WHY???

The pledge was led by Lori B, with the invocation from Sweden by Dave B, regarding a train ride between Gothenburg & Stockholm.

Mike Arndt introduced the visiting Rotarians: From Sebastopol Larry Burnham. From SR Sunrise: Will Parke. From Santa Rosa: Jeannie Dilles, Linda Franck, Mary Farha, Jim Johnson, Pam Mazzola, Dusty Frances, Pat Stoll & Dan Wright.

Guests: Arnie introduced his son Adam, Anne introduced her friend Susan and Teri introduced potential new member Paula.

Announcements

Jim Sullivan reported from the bar, that the Dow Jones Industrial Average was over 10,000. Ten thousand what? How come my portfolio is not up???

Dale Sipes must be going back into publishing. He told us of the Rotary publications available to us: i.e. Rotary Wheel, Inner Wheel and the new district newsletter from soon to be D. G. Mike Merrill, "The Wheel News". Contact the editor Maureen for advertising. Good buys…(707) 544-7286 or e-Mail bravocomm@aol.com.

Patsy Barnes has a party scheduled for the incoming board, for a strategic planning session at her place April 10^th at 9:00am. B There or B Square.

Mike Merrill announced the district assembly on April 17^th. Get your applications in NOW. There will be a special event for non-Rotarian spouses and/or significant others.

Teri Evans announced three new members had been approved for membership. Ken Kushnir gave us an update on Mucho Grande Villa Kushnir el Mexico. Completed 20 year vision…No sheep…Just GOATS.

Janet announced GSE team is safely in the Philippines. Our club will need a host home for the Philippine team from April 29^th to May 4^th.

Gary Duggar reported on the Bartley-Pitts dinner that was auctioned at the Crab Feed…WOW, WOW, WOW! Can’t say enough good things. Kudo’s to Scott & Ginny for a super effort, and a big thank you to Gary for winning the bid.

The Sunrise club will be having a fundraiser, "Men can cook too!" soon. Get your application from Prez Richard.

"Rapp in Rotary Assembly" being held by Maureen and Mike Merrill focusing on the roles and possibilities for partners, family and friends of Rotarians, with discussion about how to get involved in Rotary, and the chance to ask questions about how family can participate in Rotary activities. It will be a fast paced activity on Saturday April 17- 8:30-2:30PM. Call Chris Parr at 544-7286 for more information.

The Santa Rosa-Kagoshima Student Exchange Program is accepting applications for students to travel to Japan for 4 weeks over the Summer of 1999.   The trip is subsidized by the Santa Rosa Sunrise Group as well as Rotary Groups from Hiroshima and Kagoshima Group, Friends of Kagoshima and Santa Rosa Businesses. The cost for each student is only $1,900.00. Applications must be in by April 16, 1999.   Contact Mary Haller at 538-0950 or Fern Harger at 539-8030 for more details.

Its On the House if SRWest members attend the upcomming District Assembly, SRWest will pick up the registration fee.  This is Mike Merrill's year and it is important that we make a good showing at the Assembly.  Contact Bob Harris or Rich Standard for Details.

The Bob Lucas "Celebration of Life" Fund Raiser

Will be April 18, 1998, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Friedman Center, 4676 Mayette Avenue. Tickets are available from World of Carpets or from Janet Codding. There will be Rex Allen’s Swing Express and many, many surprise celebrity guests. Includes Hors D’oeuvres and opportunity to win a pre-owned Walnut Hammond H100 Console Organ $600 value, some lessons included (Donated by Music Exchange). DONATION $20.00 (checks payable to the Santa Rosa West Rotary Community Fund). SPECIAL SPONSOR TICKET: $100.00 which includes all the above plus special reserved VIP seating with all refreshments and libations at the event served to you at your table.  WISH LIST:  Raffle prizes with value between $25-$100 (can be gift certificates or anything!). We will sell the raffle prizes at the event. Cups, napkins, small paper plates, people to pass out flyers and spread the word and sell tickets, places to sell the tickets, we have Music Exchange and World of Carpets (Arnie sponsored the tickets, too! Thank you Arnie!)

For anyone interested in helping Bob in another way, I will make donations from the sales of Internet connections, phones and long distance service that I sell up to the time of the

Recognition:

Cajun Louie minor business trip to south of Monterey to drill small hole in ground of 12,000 ft. to measure whose fault it is, San Andreas? Signed minor contract for $27,000,000 – Fined $10.00 (????)

Program

OK…Who got the speaker??? 18 year old Alex Stone. The news anchor for KSRO radio!! How about an 18 year old high school senior with 6 years experience as a news reporter! Alex began as a teen announcer on KSRO and worked with Shamus O’Grady If that didn’t kill him, nothing will!!! O’Grady eats em’ up and spits em’ out. Alex relayed stories of up at 3:00am and in bed by 11:30pm. All this while going to high school from 8:00am to 3:00pm. A typical day might look like this: in the station by 4:00am, check with the police department at 4:15am for events, call CNN and get updated current events, 4:30am hits the streets in the Mobile and broadcasts from there, until school, and then back to the station from 3:00pm to 11:00pm. Alex lives for the thrill of breaking news and feels that he can really make a difference by the way he reports the news.

When asked by fellow students why he doesn’t drink, drug & party…He had very sobering answers. He’s seen real life first hand by being on the 911 beat. Last night was a classic example. An 18 year old girl was coming home last night around midnight and was killed in an alcohol related incident. Last summer a similar occurrence with two teens pronounced dead at the scene coming home from the video store. Another alcohol abuse.

Alex related how outpouring the community has been when called upon to help the disadvantaged. He related several stories of how citizens of Sonoma County have assisted and created a heartwarming outpouring of goodwill and caring. But, not all stories result in the best results. There was a story of a homeless family who had been on the streets for two weeks and approached a remote broadcast and requested assistance. The family was homeless… the wife pregnant. KSRO was able to come up with a room at the MOTEL 6. KSRO asked to be able to chronicle the family for a short time, and was told YES by the family. However, when Alex showed up for the follow-up interview, the husband was not there. He had been arrested and extradited to Arizona for outstanding warrants.

On another story, Alex flew over Petaluma at 500 feet on a Motorcycle attached to a hang glider. On a visit to London he heard on the BBC that the Motorcycle Pilot had flown around the world.

What makes Alex tick? When he was 6 or 7 years old his parents took him on a tour of CNN. Alex became mesmerized and began watching "Mornings on Two" with Steve McPartland. His mother took him to Channel 2 to meet Steve, and while visiting the station met the General Manager, Kevin O’Brien. Kevin was so impressed with Alex, that he became a mentor for Alex and counseled him to get on the air as soon as he possibly could. Alex took the advice to heart and began his passion at age 13.

Watching the world coverage on the rainstorm’s effect in Rio Nido had a tremendous impact on Alex. The observations he encountered at breaking news events made him realize how much he loves the news business and the contribution he can make.

We wish you success in your pursuit Alex, and in your schooling at the University of Colorado.

This Weeks Writer is Ron Street

New E-mail address or Fax number?

Let me know at DRBjork@thegrid.net or
phone (707) 576-7632 or fax (707) 576-7672.

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