Mohammadan Ptolemy 

                                                                   Classification:  Blues Coordinator

HRHYPHW called the meeting to order at 12:10 PM.   Jim Talbott delivered the Invocation and Ron Nanning led us in the Pledge of Allegiance before he fell asleep. 

There were no visiting Rotarians. 

There were several guests of Rotarians.  Lynda Gantt introduced Lester Willis, her new intern.  Peter Lopez introduced Carlos Pacheco from La Raza Radio.  Rick Haydon introduced Brian Talley, our program.

Sunshine Reporter Frank Culley had no sunshine or overcast to report.  Carlie Engel said that Fred Sanders returned to his status as a "lapsed Rotarian."

Virginia Perry Souza introduced Brian Talley from Talley Farms and Talley Vineyards.   Not wanting to miss a sales opportunity, he started out by saying that the cookbook that he wrote and brought copies of to the meeting would make a wonderful $35 Mothers' Day present.  He had several copies on hand to sell.   His father started farming on the property in the late 1940's.  In the 1950's they grew green beans and other row crops.  In 1986 his father started Talley Vineyards.  At the present time they get four times as much revenue from farming as from the vineyards.  He talked about the harvest box  program where people can get a box of local vegetables and usually a little fruit on a weekly or biweekly basis.  The stuff is fresh and local.  When the winery was started they wanted to produce estate chardonnay and pinot noir.  In 2000 they started Bishop's Peak line of wines that has other varietals that are reasonably priced.  They own Las Ventanas Ranch and have developed over 50 home sites there on about 150 acres.  The rest of the 4000 acres are permanent open space.  They established a fund for education of vineyard and farm worker family members.  This is partially funded by the sales of Manotinto wine that they produce.  We then had a drawing for a cookbook and for a box of vegetables.  Virginia Perry Souza won the cookbook, but since she already had one and since she just got her box of vegetables, she decided to let someone else have a chance at winning.  Diana Harb won the cookbook and Tom Martinez won the Harvest Box of vegetables. 

Diana Harb had the Exemption Badge and she decided to talk about Mothers' Day.  It is celebrated in over 40 countries.  Some countries celebrate it on International Women's Day which is on March 8th.  Other countries celebrate on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is called Mothers' Sunday.  The celebration of mothers goes back over 1000 years, as verified by Ron Nanning.  In the United States it was first celebrated on May 10, 1908.  In our country the impetus for celebrating mothers began after the Civil War (or the "War of Northern Aggression" as they call it in Georgia) when mothers were trying to heal families that were split because of the war. 

Under announcements Scott Dunn said that he is now engaged to Lynette Muscio and they are planning a September 2nd wedding.  He joyfully paid $100. 

Exchange Student Nicey said that in Taiwan they celebrate Mothers' Day in May, just like we do.  They celebrate Fathers' Day on August 8th because in Taiwanese the words for Fathers' Day and August 8th sound very similar.  She also told us that she ran a half marathon in San Luis Obispo and she reminded us that she is publishing a cookbook called  "Taste of Asia."  At $10 it is a bargain. 

HRHYPHW said that we have received several thank you letters from organizations that we have given money to. 

She said that the Foundation Gala was a huge success and thanked everyone who attended and who helped work at the event. 

Ruben Escobedo wanted us to know that the Rotaract is having an open house next Wednesday at Keller Williams and that they will be knitting hats for the NICU at the hospital.

Rotaract Open House 

When

May 16^th at 6:00 p.m.

Where

204 E Enos Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454

What

Enjoy some appetizers and drinks while participating in a service project workshop.  Join us as we knit and crochet hats to provide comfort and support to critically ill infants and their families in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Marian Regional Medical Center.

Terrilee Coleman reminded us to bring in our wine for the wine raffle coming up at the end of the month.   The final day to bring in your wine is May 22nd.

HRHYPHW announced that former basketball standout Rick Ellison is off to Tahiti next week.  He wanted us to know that this is a working vacation.  He will be demonstrating his dunking skills on the basketball court to the national team of Tahiti.  He will also be discussing with them the intricacies of the 2-3 matchup zone defense.  Finally, he will be researching venues for the club stuffing team that will be going to Tahiti at the beginning of June for two months of intensive training before the world championships in August.  This is tough duty, but I'm sure Rick is up to it. 

Under celebrations, Jim Talbott celebrated 19 years of joyful matrimony and harmony by going to Kauai.  He had a wonderful time (like you can have any other type of time in Hawaii) and received a Romance Discount from HRHYPHW.  He only had to pay $20.

Ruben Escobedo celebrated his fifth anniversary by going to Las Vegas.  He had a good celebration and he even had enough money to come home.  He paid $27, then got assessed another $5 for his two year club anniversary. 

Our illustrious leader Queen Heather celebrated her 17 year anniversary in our club with noise makers and party poopers.

There was $1529.50 as the winner's share in the 50/50  drawing.  Lynda Gantt had the lucky ticket, but she lost her marbles when she couldn't find the correct one. 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:18 PM.