An On time start

Terri Grassi led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Accompanied by Don Ludwig, a quintet of superannuated crooners led us in Americathe Beautiful and Smile. Many of those present did not view the second as an instruction they wished to obey.

The Thought(s) for the Day and Prayer were provided by Lee Myhre, who reminded us of the unaccounted for previous wars. They ought not be forgotten.

Announcements and Straw Polls

President Bill asked for feedback re the possibility of an evening Family Christmas Party on December 17. Apparently, we are going try it, and the roll of Santa Claus has been cast.

Tom Meyer encouraged the applications for organizations chosen to be the recipients of the available proceeds from the Rich Little performance (1/31/04).

Tony Amato sold some more of the attractive shirts favored by so many members.

Janie Noppe invited our interest for the Xmas Harbor Cruise on either 12/12 or 12/19.

Bob Jahncke made us aware that during the last three days in November 10% of all income from the Tuscany Club (Harbor and Commonwealth) will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club

DGE Bill Peloquin promoted former RI President Frank Devlin's book, Frank Talk. Bilingually autographed copies are available for $13.

Griff Duncan updated us on the brisk sale of tickets for the Rich Little event January 31. FUHS talent will be featured during the first 20 minutes of the evening.

Standing in for the absent Don Bankhead, Bob Clark, Jr. Introduced our several guests.

• Randy McFarlane - Bill Mathy
• Gretchen Francisco - Cameron McCune.
• Pat Verwiel - Larry Larson
• Ron Soderquist - Bill Peloquin
• John Derry - Leroy Fulton
• The lovely Bob Fraschetti - Chris Fraschetti (no charge of Bob's lunch today)

Fun and Games

Franki Berry is Rotarian of the Week recognizing her work on Fellowship lunches.

Chet Schultz had the winning ticket, but did not know when sliced bread became available.

Recognitions con Tee Shirt
Art Levine was Recognition chair for the day and meted out the following charges with scant opportunity for immediate remission:

• Pat House did realize that Art's Tee-Shirt had been purchased at the Muckenthaler.
• Tom Meyer- 21 years of blissful wedlock.
• Jim Blackburn -57 years of occasionally blissful life.
• Bob Engemann- 62 years of marriage.
• Ray Ashcroft- Mary's B'day.
• Dick Jones- Norma's B'day.
• Jim Blakephotographed near a no bodily contact lake.
• Bill Mathy and Mike Oates (in absentia) autographed in side a really big pipe.
• Prez Bill for inadequate definition for P's and Q's.

St Jude Medical Center now until 2030

Ray Hansen introduced the "lovely" St Jude CEO, Bob Fraschetti, who ably assisted by Bernie Dunlap (as a sad substitute for Vanna White), provided an update of the medical center's 5 stage facilities master plan.

Over the next 25 plus years, St Jude will be retrofitted and expanded to meet state seismic requirements and provide increased capacity. By the end of stage three of the plan, the hospital bed capacity will increase by over 50% and square feet per bed will improve by almost 100%. Parking will also be increased and traffic will be re-routed for improved safety.

St Jude is also in the midst of significant IT upgrade that will obviate the need to have to decipher the handwriting of physicians and provide real time access to images for X-ray, CT Scans and the various MRI's.

Under the category of rumor control the Saint Jude Trustees have not bought Coco's, the Car Wash or the nearby Texaco station.

It is good to know that North Orange County's best medical facility has a plan for coping with the unfunded mandates of California government as well as the needs and demands of our community.

Bob did very well, and Dr. Dunlap made only one mistake, that anyone noticed. That's fine when trying to be Vanna, but it is well that Bernie does not attempt to practice surgery.

Final Words from Prez Bill

Don't let success go to your head or failure go to your heart (or something like that?)