rio squawk 7.29.10
DESCRIPTION
July 27, 2010 Rick and Sandi Daly The World’s Tallest RotarianTRANSCRIPT
“Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will.”
Walk on Stilts Day
July 27, 2010
Rick and Sandi Daly
The World’s Tallest Rotarian
3 Club Minutes
4 The Centers for Habilitation
8 Meeting Photos
9 Memoriam
12 Stilt Walker (Cover Story)
16 Mail Box
18 Beth Anne in New Zealand
21 Justin in Spain
23 Jan in Africa
26 The ABC’s of Rotary
27 Daly Thoughts
28 Governor Glenn Comments
32 Born to be Wild
36 Tundra Comics
37 Timmy the Squirrel & Tears of Joy
38 Miscellaneous Foolishness
39 Display Ads
The Rio Squawk The official newsletter of the
Tempe Rio Salado Rotary Club
”The Funniest Rotary Club West & East of the Mississippi.”
District 5510 ~ Tempe, Arizona USA
For information regarding subscriptions, advertising,
submitting or requesting a story or photograph,
sending a letter or making a comment,
Email: [email protected]
The Rio Squawk is a free publication circulated
weekly to both Rotarians and non-Rotarians
worldwide, with readership on six continents.
For membership information, call 623-326-7951
or join us for breakfast 7:00AM Thursdays at
the Hometown Buffet, 1312 N Scottsdale Rd
Rotary International
President
Ray Klinginsmith - Missouri, USA
District 5510
Governor - Glenn W. Smith
Governor Elect - Alan Havir
Governor Nominee – Abe Feder
Assistant Governor – John Slentz
Secretary - Sherry Mischel
Treasurer - Joanne Kline
World’s First Service Club Organization
Founded on February 23, 1905
Over 1,200,000 Members in 33,000 clubs
Located in over 200 Countries Worldwide
IN THIS ISSUE
Tempe Rio Salado Rotary Club
President
Corey Bruggeman
Immediate Past President
Patrick de Haan
Vice President
James Greene
Secretary
Jack Buckles
Treasurer
Bobbi de Haan
Sergeant at Arms
PDG Ben Eubank
Environmental Services Chair
Jim Lemmon
Gift of Life Chair
Ron Freeman
Greeter
Kent Hendricks
Guiding Rotarian
PDG Ben Eubank
Health Services Chair
PDG Ben Eubank
International Service Chair
Dona Eubank
Leadership Committee Chair
Bobbi de Haan
Marketing Committee Chair
Greg Searfoss
Membership Committee Co-Chairs
PDG Ben Eubank & Patrick de Haan
Official Mascot
Rio Macaw
Pathway to Reading Committee Chair
Jack Buckles
Photographer/Writer
Bobbi De Haan
PolioPlus Committee
PDG Ben Eubank & Brad Dowden
Progetto Salvamamme – Salvabebè
James Greene & Bobbi de Haan
Public Relations & Media Management
Patrick de Haan
River Rally, Octoberfest, Picnic in the Park
Jim Lemmon
Rotary Foundation Chair
PDG Ben Eubank
Service Committee Chair
Lynsie Scharpf
Trainers
Kent Hendricks
Geoff Pashkowski
Ambassadorial Scholars
Justin Randall (Spain)
Laura Kalb (Middle East)
Beth Anne Martin (2011 Nominee-Latin America)
Service Above Self Award Recipients
Jim Lemmon (2001)
PDG Ben Eubank (2007)
1) President Corey called the meeting to order promptly at 7:00AM.
2) Invocation – Moment of silence
3) Pledge & Four Way Test – Bobbi
4) Introduction of Guest – Kent
Dawn Hocking – Today’s speaker
5) Get Food – GOOD as usual – BACON!
6) Rio’s Macaw – BAD jokes as usual. BAD PARROT!
a. Q – What did one eye say to the other?
A – ―Between you and me,
something smells!‖
b. Q – What illness does Jackie Chan
have?
A – ―Kung Flu!‖
Pat said our next president needs to be
someone competent for a change ~He should
know since he was our last president!
7) Tim volunteered to fill in for Ben, being
Sergeant at Arms and take fines. He did great!
8) SQUAWK AD RATES - Pat made a
report regarding advertising in the newsletter.
He passed out information forms to everyone
interested. Pat emphasized that a lot of people
read our newsletter.
9) STILT WALKING - Sandi reported that
her husband’s show in Las Vegas went off really well.
10) VOTE FOR BEST BUDDIES - Bobbi announced there’s a link on the Best Buddies website. There’s a place to
vote for a favorite Diamondback and vote for Best Buddies to receive a grant for $200,000.
11) FORM 990 - Corey asked Bobbi to make sure the IRS form 990 was filed. Bobbi said Ben’s accountant takes care
of that for us, but she will check with Ben when he returns to the Valley next week.
12) TRIVIA OF THE DAY - Corey informed us that on May 1st, 1958 the IRS determined that Rotary international
and affiliate clubs could be become nonprofit.
13) Corey is looking for volunteers for the student abroad exchange program.
14) CLUB ROSTER - Corey asked to we have a Rotary roster. Pat said he tried and didn’t get much cooperation. Pat
will resend the form and it was voted to allow Ben to collect a fine if the information is not supplied.
15) BUMPER STICKER OF THE WEEK – ―Life’s too short to dance with ugly women.‖ Submitted by Bobbi.
16) TODAY’S SPEAKER – Today’s speaker was Dawn Hocking, Development/HR Specialist at The Centers for
Habilitation. Dawn gave us an excellent overview of the agency and the populations they serve. Of particular interest
was their Assured Security Document Destruction service. www.assuredsecurityaz.com See page 4 for more information
about TCH and their many programs.
17) There was no further business. Meeting was adjourned at 8:00AM.
Tempe Rio Salado Rotary Club
Speaker: Dawn Hocking, The Centers for Habilitation
July 22, 2010
PRESENT: Corey Bruggeman, Jack Buckles, Sandi Daly, Bobbi de Haan, Patrick de Haan,
Ron Freeman, Kent Hendricks, Tim Lidster, and Geoff Pashkowski.
GUEST: Dawn Hocking
We missed you
BRAD, BEN, DONA,
JAMES, DENNIS,
BRIAN, JIM, LYNSIE,
ANITA, GREG, and
LINDA!
Marisa Arellano Velazquez
Corey laughed hysterically at Rio’s jokes!
Today’s Presentation
A Brief History of TCH
1967
Seeking an alternative to ―institutional‖ care, parents of children with special needs
banded together forming a Pre-school and Day Care Center managed solely by
volunteers. These were the forerunners of TCH, then known as Tempe Preschool for Retarded Children.
1970’s
Tempe School for Retarded Children became known as Tempe Center for the Handicapped as services were
expanded to include adults with disabilities.
Job training and job placement services are introduced.
Group Homes and apartment-based housing with transportation services are added to the TCH repertoire.
1980’s
TCH built its first own 7200 sq. ft. facility at 250 West First St. in Tempe, used for job training day activity
programs and administrative services.
TCH was awarded its first major contract with America West Airlines to refurbish more than 1 million
entertainment headsets annually.
TCH became known as Tempe Center for Habilitation.
1990’s
TCH became an affiliate partner of NISH building the capacity to contract with the federal government and secure
more employment contracts throughout Arizona.
TCH built a new 26,000 sq. ft. headquarters on a 7-acre plot in South Tempe which remains the TCH hub today.
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) were introduced, providing support to individuals with disabilities
living in their own homes.
TCH was renamed The Centers for Habilitation to reflect its limitless geographic boundaries.
2000’s
TCH adopted the Social Enterprise Philosophy with the acquisition of multiple contracts with companies
around the valley.
The Cutty Legacy Foundation was established as a private, charitable foundation for the support of individuals
with disabilities and their families.
TCH Enterprises opened in 2003, now known as ASDD (Assured Security Document Destruction) currently
employing 50 men and women with disabilities.
Today
Sun State Builders and TCH are working together to finalize details on the nearly completed 18,000 sq. ft.
Employment Center on the 7-acre South Tempe campus. Once completed, TCH will double the number of men
and women with disabilities gaining employment through services at this facility.
Programs & Services
TCH provides services for individuals in every stage of life. From early intervention for infants and toddlers to senior
recreation programs, from at-home attendant care to community employment supports, TCH meets the needs of
individuals with disabilities. The TCH mission-empowering people with disabilities-is evident in all programs.
Day Education & Activities for Adults
o Simply put, this service offers weekday activities for adults 18 years and older.
Activities are designed to help men and women with developmental disabilities
meet individual, unique needs, depending on capabilities and interests.
o The curriculum combines classroom activities with learning and recreational
activities at TCH and throughout the community. Examples of this include arts
and crafts, reading, games and visits to the mall, the zoo and nearby parks. TCH
offers Day Activity Programs both in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
o The majority of Day Activities are focused on teaching basic life skills such as
self-care, independent living, communication and appropriate leisure time. The
goal of the program is to increase independence, inclusion in the greater
community and offer stimulating and creative opportunities for learning.
THE CENTERS FOR HABILITATION
o TCH also offers a separate
program created especially for
seniors. As men and women
with disabilities are living
longer, fuller lives than ever
before, TCH must evolve to
offer services that remain age
appropriate and engaging for all
participants.
TCH Respite Program
o Respite provides a relaxing, fun
environment for socializing and
learning after hours. For many
clients, this program offers an
extension of classroom learning
after they’ve graduated from
the public school system. For
families, TCH respite allows
extra time after work for
running errands or preparing
family activities.
o This also allows for multiple activities each day, depending on the interest level. Regardless the activity,
the focus remains on building skills while having fun.
o Currently nearly ten individuals are enrolled in the program. As renovations at TCH Lodge commence,
opportunities to expand the program and identify more diverse activities will abound.
Residential Support
o Similar to other TCH services, residential options vary with the needs of the individual and the interests
of involved family members. Choosing which option is right for your loved one can be a challenge, but
TCH professionals can help you find the best solution.
o Community Living and Support
These community based residences are neighborhood homes that allow men and women with
disabilities to experience the security and comfort of a homelike environment while receiving the
specialized care they require.
Each residence is home to between two-six adults supported by well-trained TCH staff.
Depending on the unique needs of the residences, TCH homes are often adapted and re-designed
for maximum mobility and safety. Such adaptations may include widened doorways, wheelchair
ramps and accessible bath and shower facilities. Additionally, TCH equips each home with its
own vehicle to provide transportation for residents.
It is the philosophy of TCH staff and management to incorporate chores and skills necessary for
typical daily living. Responsibility, self discipline and cooperation are stressed as each resident is
urged to contribute to day-to-day household chores. Working with housemates and staff,
individuals improve upon important life skills. This accountability fosters the development of
self-esteem and individual pride.
The goals of Community Living and Support are to
Encourage growth toward more independent living while providing a genuine sense of
belonging.
Continually nurture physical, psychological and emotional growth
Provide a safe clean environment
o Independent Living Settings
Different from a ―Group Home,‖ TCH works with clients and families to design settings to meet
their unique needs. Often times these settings are owned by a family and TCH provides staff and
transportation as appropriate.
Individually designed living settings provide a significant amount of freedom for families and
individuals with disabilities. These settings are not as heavily regulated as TCH Group Homes.
Today’s Speaker,
Dawn Hocking
The Centers for
Habilitation
In exchange, families take on greater responsibility and financial risk. E.G. room and board costs
of residences. Additionally, there are no guarantees from the State of Arizona or TCH for the
referral of housemates.
TCH can provides a blend of services, specific to individual circumstances. TCH staff and
management team will assist in finding the right decisions to correctly balance independence,
safety and support.
o Home and Community Based Services
Home and Community Based Services, often shortened to HCBS, are designed to provide support
to a person with
disabilities on a very
individualized basis.
Support is primarily
offered to persons living
at home with their
families, living in their
own home or in other
settings to help enhance
existing services.
HCBS is specifically for
the individual. Flexible
and individualized
options may include
―hands-on‖
support in all
aspects of daily
living and
personal care
Support to
participate in community integrative opportunities.
Respite sitting services
Goal plan development and implementation
Direct Support Provider training for family members and others
Networking and support coordination with other disabilities providers.
Job Training
o TCH Employment Services assist people with various abilities to enter the workforce. Men and women
with disabilities work with TCH Vocational Habilitation staff to build the skills necessary for greater
employability. o TCH participates with local school districts in a Work Bridge Program helping graduating students to
transition from the school to the work environment. Students work part-time in the TCH Employment
Center while also finishing school, helping them to develop achievable post-graduation goals. o With this service, the type or level of employment is based in the
individual’s abilities and more importantly his/her interests. Each level is a
step toward independent employment.
o Center-based/Supported Employment
In the TCH Employment Centers, men and women with disabilities
work on various skill sets appropriate for center-based employment
and for progression toward community employment.
Training Associates work primarily on document shredding and
extrication for recycling with Assured Security Document
Destruction (ASDD) a division of TCH. Other projects include
product assembly, towel sorting and bundling, collation of
newsletters, information packets and more.
Partners who use TCH for such contracts include Intel, the Virginia
Piper Foundation, Cintas, Tempe Diablos, Desert West Jewelry, and
more.
o Group Supported Employment/Enclaves
Enclave employment is where local businesses contract with TCH for a work crew accompanied
by a Job Coach or ―foreman.‖ Individuals are able to work in the community while still having a
TCH safety net of co-workers and a Job Coach.
Training Associates learn valuable objectives such as maintaining a work ethic, specific job
skills, self advocacy and other preparations for independent work. Individuals also undergo
regular assessments to determine desire and readiness for community employment.
o Individual Supported Employment
o This program caters to individuals who wish to gain or maintain employment in the community. Working
side-by-side with an Employment Specialist or Job Coach, the individual receives support in resume
creation, interview skills and appropriate job-related communications.
o Individual Supported Employment occurs in natural work settings where people with disabilities are
integrated with the businesses other employees. TCH helps Training Associates with the job search and
provides on-the-job training. Additionally, TCH offers support to the community employer during an
orientation/transition phase.
o The goal of this program is for TCH to eventually fade out of service as the individual maintains
employment on their own!
Commercial Contracts
o TCH also creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities through participation in the
federal Javitz Wagner O’Day (JWOD) and the Arizona State Set-Aside program. Both programs
encourage government to ―set aside‖ specific service contracts for the employment of people with
disabilities.
o TCH has several years of experience providing a variety of quality services to federal, state and local
government agencies. TCH Services include but are not limited to
o Custodial
o Food Service
o Grounds Maintenance
o TCH is able to successfully adapt to changing requirements and performance standards through the
establishment of a comprehensive quality assurance plan and effective communications with our
customers. TCH is committed to quality and customer satisfaction, all the while fulfilling our mission.
o Such practices have made TCH a leader among contemporaries in the non-profit service provider
industry. JWOD and NISH agencies often look to TCH as a model for other agencies around the country.
TCH Commercial Contract Managers regularly participate in regional meetings to promote best practices
as it relates to TCH’s various lines of business.
TO CONTACT TCH
Phoenix Metropolitan Area
The Centers for Habilitation
215 West Lodge Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85283-3652
Phone: (480) 838-8111 Fax: (480) 730-5214
Assured Security Document Destruction, a division of TCH
215 West Lodge Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85283
Phone: (480) 730-4133 Fax: (480) 730-5214
Tucson Regional Office
350 South Calle de Madrid
Tucson, Arizona 85711
Mailing Address:
4072 East 22nd Street, PMB319
Tucson, Arizona 85711
Phone: (520) 318-0137 Fax: (520) 318-0140
a
Photos by Rio
Candid Pictures from
Today’s Meeting
Ron Freeman
Kent Hendricks Tim Lidster & Pat de Haan
When Chandler police Detective Carlos Ledesma was killed
during an undercover drug operation, the tragic news
reached a Midwestern town where the 34-year-old former
Marine, husband and father of two young sons began his
career in law enforcement.
After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Ledesma completed
training with the Spirit Lake, Iowa Police Department where
he acquired his first job as a patrol officer in May 2004,
according to Lt. Rodney Baker of the department.
"We were shocked to hear it and upset," Baker said of
Ledesma's death. "He was a good officer."
Ledesma was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot
wounds at St. Joseph Medical Center in downtown Phoenix
soon after he was shot about 7 p.m. July 28 inside a south Phoenix home during an undercover drug deal gone wrong,
according to authorities. Two other Chandler police officers also were shot and two of the suspects were killed, according
to Phoenix police. The dead suspects were identified as Markiese Royalty, 26, and Roger Tatum, 32.
The officers, who were staging a sale of $250,000 worth of marijuana inside a home in the 2300 block of West
Maldonado Road near 24th Street and Baseline Road, were not wearing bullet proof vests, according to Phoenix police.
Six of the suspects accused of being involved in the drug deal have criminal histories, and are being held in a Maricopa
County jail, each on a $3 million bond. They are facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and weapons
and drug-related offenses, according to police.
Baker, who oversees the patrol officers in Spirit Lake, a town of about 5,500 in the northwest corner of Iowa, said that in
his 25 years of law enforcement, Ledesma is the first officer he has personally known to be killed.
Ledesma completed his training with the Spirit Lake Police Academy, and was hired by the city on May 3, 2004.
Baker said he decided to hire Ledesma because of his military experience and how he handled himself during the job
interview.
"It was his military training that stuck out and the way he handled himself during the job interview," Baker said. "He
seemed sure of himself."
But Ledesma also had aspirations to serve on a police department in a bigger city.
"Like anywhere else, we have problems with drunk driving, domestic violence, drugs and shootings," Baker said. "There's
just more of it in a bigger city."
Ledesma's last day with the Spirit Lake Police Department was on Sept. 19, 2006.
The death of an officer is a painful sting not felt in Chandler since June 2002, but time between such events doesn't make
it less hurtful, said Shawn Hancock, president of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association.
"It's something we all hope never happens, but we realize it's part of the job," he said.
Exactly what went wrong, however, remains part of the ongoing investigation. Just after 7 p.m., Ledesma lay dead at St.
Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, where one other officer underwent surgery and another was treated and released.
In the hours following the shooting, friends, colleagues and family members rallied around Ledesma's wife and children.
"She told me he died doing what he loved - he died serving the community," said Hancock, who spoke with Ledesma's
widow.
In Memoriam
Detective Carlos Ledesma
"He was always a really friendly guy," said one of Ledesma's neighbors, who declined to be identified. "We'd see him out
front and he'd say 'Hi, how are you?' "
Ledesma's death rocked his south Gilbert community, where time spent at home was family time.
"He really enjoyed his time with his boys," the neighbor said as she broke down in tears. "They were always outside,
whether riding bikes or playing football. He was a really great guy. People could really look up to him as a great father."
Members of the Ledesma family's church, Mission Community Church in Gilbert, have offered their support, said
Executive Pastor Mike Work. The church is a spiritual refuge to several officers.
"A lot of these guys have spent their life in law enforcement, and for many it's the first time they have lost someone this
close," Work said.
Due to the sensitive nature of his undercover work,
the Police Department has asked that no pictures of
Detective Ledesma be published in order to protect
his ongoing cases from possibly being jeopardized.
BEST BUDDIES ARIZONA NEEDS YOUR HELP!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC9aMVIts2Q
VOTE EVERY DAY!
There are two ways to cast your votes:
TEXT: “Dbacks” to 76462
ONLINE: at http://www.mlb.com/pepsirefresh
Share this with all your friends: Email list, Facebook, MySpace, Church, Clubs, Coworkers, Family-Everyone you
know!NY and CA might have more people, but ARIZONA can win by being better organized!
Best Buddies is Arizona’s premier provider of ―quality of life‖ programs for developmentally disabled. They
have been selected by the Diamondbacks to represent all of Arizona in this year’s Pepsi Refresh competition.
Each MLB team has selected a single charity to represent them, so Best Buddies is not competing against anyone
else in the state. The winner receives a $200,000 grant. You can cast a vote once a day by texting or going
online. Voting starts 7/13 and ends 8/17. It only takes a minute, so vote daily and make Arizona a winner!
YOU CAN VOTE
UP TO 25 TIMES EACH DAY
COVER STORY
COVER STORY
You might wonder why we would even mention ―Walk On
Stilts Day,‖ much less put it on the cover of our newsletter and
make it a feature story. That would be true for virtually every
other Rotary Club in the world, but not so for Tempe Rio
Salado. We currently have four stilt walkers connected with
our club as members, associates, and volunteers at our
projects and events.
You might say that we have successfully ―raised the
bar‖ for Rotary. With an average height of 7’ 7‖,
our stilt walkers are a major attraction wherever
they appear.
Nothing will draw a crowd faster than a stilt
walker, as Rick Daly discovered recently when
he was in Las Vegas. Rick was invited to come
and play on Fremont Street in Las Vegas as a part
of the entertainment at the "Ultimate Elvis Tribute"
contest, which is the only Elvis impersonation
contest officially sanctioned by the Elvis Presley
estate. Rick appeared as an 8 foot tall "Elvis"
rockin' out in the crowd.
Whether it’s performing for charities, drawing
positive attention to a project, or even being a
huge tall soldier at Christmastime, our big-
hearted behemoths are guaranteed to put a smile
on your face. We definitely look up to them as
valuable assets of the Tempe Rio Salado Rotary
Club.
WALK ON STILTS DAY
JIMBO For the past decade,
Jimbo has donated his stilt walking skill and balloon artistry to our projects for homeless children and military
families.
Jimbo
Five Star Entertainment
480-244-7131
RICK & SANDI DALY Not only is our club member, Sandi Daly, a stilt walker, making her
the reputed ―Tallest Rotarian in the World,‖ her husband, Rick, has
launched a national effort to get him scheduled to
dance on the Ellen Degeneres Show.
http://www.rhythminmotionaz.com/Elvis_FSE_2010.html.
Rick Daly is the “World’s Tallest Elvis!”
FITZMAGIC
Besides being a stilt walker (which is a good
thing since his wife is 6’ 2‖), John
Fitzsimmons is also our official club
magician. His high-energy performances,
filled with magic, comedy and jaw-dropping
stunts, have entertained at our projects and
meetings. Who could forget when he tried to
get Governor Ken Oakes to stick his hand
into a steel wolf trap? (Ouch!)
In addition, John is our production expert,
bringing his audio/visual, lighting, and
staging expertise to our projects so they
reflect a level of professionalism that will
enhance the experiences of those attending. Kelley & John Fitzsimmons
John Fitzsimmons
www.FitzMagic.com
602-820-6202
Greetings,
We returned from Nkhata Bay last night and are beginning to wind down our travels. Ingrid
McBride leaves for the US today so she can arrive in time for a previously scheduled professional
obligation. Meanwhile, we will remain in the vicinity of Lilongwe until our departure on July 30th. It
will still be a busy time as we have appointments with the Malawian Minister for Disabled People, a
representative of the Office of the Minister of Agriculture-the President is the actual Minister of
Agriculture so we don't expect to see him directly-and the Minister for Women and Children.
Each of these Ministers has related interest in our projects and we hope they are fruitful. We
also have more deliveries to make and will head for Senga Bay tomorrow morning to make one with
the possible accompaniment of someone from the Office of Minister for Disabled People.
I've included photos from our interviews, mainly, along with one of Mayoka Village and my journal
entries.
Looking forward to our return to the US and seeing everyone.
As Ingrid says, the experience cannot be described by words alone.
Best,
Jan
See page 24
FACEBOOK: Laura Kalb, our 2010 Ambassadorial Scholar, is packing for
her trip to Jordan where she will be studying for the next year.
Laura Kalb - burning nag champa and packing
Bobbi de Haan - Me, too! Congratulations, Laura! All of us at
Tempe Rio Salado Rotary Club are very proud of you!
Laura Kalb - Thanks Bobbi, your support means a lot to me :)
Regarding the last issue of the Rio Squawk:
Very cool. It's always fun to see what the Rotary is doing. Looks like
you guys have had a fun, busy summer. I am so glad you thought to use
the blog that way. I hope people liked it and that it helps in the
scholarship run. Thank you so much for doing that for me.
Wonderful. I come back on August, the 10th.
Beth Anne Martin See page 18
Beth Anne Returns to the USA on
8/10
Laura Kalb leaves for Jordan on
9/3
Attached is a flyer for a magic show we are doing next week. This is the format I suggested we do as fundraisers for Tempe Rio Salado Rotary – Top Vegas acts, small, personal venues, and very reasonable prices.
John Fitzsimmons
Ambassadorial Scholarship Update
Bottles: The Answer to a Muddy
Predicament
We have an awesome shower on the farm and the exterior wall is made,
primarily, out of bottles. Since the construction of the shower, the farm has
collected a significant number of bottles for a new project. So, about a week
ago I started brainstorming different project ideas with bottles. One
challenging part about the shower was that as soon as you stepped out of
the shower you stepped into mud, especially during rainy season. The
muddy predicament made me wonder if there was a way to both utilize the bottles and create a pathway for the shower.
I began to think through designing a path using the bottles to
outline the perimeter. The question, which perplexed me, was
how to address the mud situation in the most environmentally
friendly way possible. I finally settled on a design that
incorporated the bottles and employed wood shavings in the
center to act as a mud control. The wood shavings seemed like
a good fit for three main reason. First, the wood shavings were
left over from a lumberyard. So, the wood shavings are
essentially free, recycled material. Second, the wood shavings
will eventually biodegrade. Not only will they not harm the
environment but they will actually create a rich mulch. Third,
the shavings will both keep the weeds at bay and prevent mud
while still allowing the water to reach the soil.
A couple of days before I began this project, I went to the
lumberyard and collected wood shavings. Then, I began to
gather up bottles. Quite naively, I only collected about 40 bottles at first. I began the long, tedious process of removing the
labels and glue off the bottles. This included soaking some of the bottles in grey water, which was collected from the rain.
Once those bottles were ready, I roughly sketched in the dirt the outline for the edge of the path. After some
experimenting, I started placing the bottles in the ground. I was almost half way done with the perimeter when I ran out of
the cleaned bottles. I went and collected more bottles, cleaned them, and continued to place them in the ground. A couple
of times the bottles needed to be dug up, moved, or replaced.
However, once the bottles were all in the ground, I raked the path
itself, leveled the ground, and dug up the weeds. Then, I covered
the path in wood shavings.
The path ended up
with over a 100
bottles along the
sides! I was pleased
with the way the
path was both
environmentally
friendly and
complimented the
shower’s design. I
am excited to see
how the bottles will
do against the first
major storm but for
now we can toast to
people having clean
feet after they
shower!
Beehive? Oh, I Am Sorry, I Meant Big Brother
The role of government in sustainability
is, genuinely, a look at the role of the
government in general. Henry David
Thoreau once stated, ――That government
is best which governs the least, because
its people discipline themselves.‖ In light
of sustainability, the U.S. is a pristine
example of the government’s limited
governing in the area of sustainability.
Although notable efforts during certain
administrations, such as Nixon’s, made
progress in the area of sustainability, the
United States, especially in light of global
pressure, ―governs least‖ in areas like
greenhouse gas emissions, food system
sustainability, renewable energy, etc.
Although the argument can be made that
one of the positive outcomes of this
decision has been that citizen
participation and local activism drove the
environmental movement, clearly the
U.S. is behind most industrialized nations
in the path towards becoming more
sustainable. On the flip side however, the
lack of government bureaucracy in
certain areas allows for creativity and
community.
Throughout my internship, the role of the
government is an issue, which is
continually being raised on my island
community. Waiheke Island is currently
being incorporated into the ―Super City.‖
The Super City consists of Auckland,
outlying suburbs, and the surrounding
islands. From what I have heard and read,
the main idea behind creating the Super
City is to consolidate power and create a
more unified, bureaucratic system of government. In juxtaposition, this idea stands in contrast to the Thoreau’s idea. The
creation of the Super City generated outrage on Waiheke for several reasons, including waste disposal. When Waiheke
was more or less self-governed, the island had an incredible waste system, well actually it is hard to call it a waste system
since nothing was wasted. Everything was recycled, reused, bartered, sold, etc. The lack of trash and items being thrown
out was incredible. They had a trading co-op and small Op Shop (second-hand store) to ensure valuable items were not
being wasted. Other items were recycled and metals were saved.
Since the creation of the Super City, this beautiful zero-waste system has been demolished. The administration privatized
the waste industry on the island and gave the contract to a company in Australia, thoroughly destroying the community
built system. Now the co-op no longer exists and islanders cannot collect metal like they use to since the Australian
company sells the metal off the island. Rightfully so, the members of the island are infuriated and would probably like to
shove Thoreau’s quote in the mayor’s face.
This is but one example of the role of the government in sustainability. As the world becomes more connected, less
organic, the government continues to control and take over more sectors and communities. If the government is bent on
control can it at least promote sustainable practices? The government in certain countries is attempting to govern more
while addressing sustainability less. This paradox presenting a continuing challenge to individuals and communities who
are attempting to live more sustainably..
The Beehive
(AKA Offices for the Executive Branch in New Zealand)
Beth Anne Martin is Tempe Rio Salado Rotary Club’s nominee for the 2011 Ambassadorial Scholarship. She is in New Zealand this summer working as an intern on a self-sufficient, organic farm.
Parliament
Government Library
TRAVELS WITH BIG JAY
AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLAR
Justin Randall, our man in Madrid, is in
Spain studying for his International MBA.
This is an excerpt from his blog journal of
his adventures in Europe.
The Last Stretch
My last final is due on the 20th, marking the end of our
core terms. I feel much less anxiety than in terms past,
which is a relief. I also feel more confident going into
this last bit.
The arc of the terms has been pretty interesting. In the
first term, everyone attempts to assert themselves to
show their leadership ability; instead they show insecurity and lack of trust. The second term is a little lighter – we’ve
been here before, but the workload is much more complicated with all of the work groups. By the time we get to term
three, no one cares anymore, and the subjects are more cerebral; to say that they’re more theoretical and less rigid.
The classes grow to be fun too, with less formality as people get to know each other better and start to crack jokes and
laugh at silly comments. I think I’ll miss that the most. Everything else, I’m relieved that we’re at the end. In retrospect,
everything went by so quickly.
This ―school thing‖ has been pretty unbelievable. I write this on the
ride back from another whirlwind weekend. I’m so grateful for the
relationships forged and experiences had. This is what shapes one’s life
– doing. Doing everything as it comes. a lesson I’ll remember forever.
Justin in Pamplona, running of the bulls and pulling of the rope.
`
To make a contribution or if you need additional information, contact:
Patrick de Haan (Tempe Rio Salado Rotary Club) 623-326-7951 or [email protected]
Jan Snyder (Tempe East Rotary Club) 480-951-9250
www.sustainableltd.org
Looking for a Simple, Low-Cost, High-Impact Polio Project?
All we need is a $25 donation from 100 Clubs, Companies, or Individuals
Africa Update from Jan & Clarice Snyder
July 21st-22nd
Lilongwe and Nkhata Bay, Malawi
In the morning, we loaded, fueled the Land Cruiser, and headed north toward Salima, Nkhotakota, and on to Nkhata Bay.
The drive was uneventful, with the exception of having to wait for road workers as they nailed planks to a bridge.
We arrived at Nkhata Bay at 4:30 so did not have to travel in the dark. Our reception was, as usual, very friendly on the
part of both Kathryn and Gary, owners of Mayoka Village—our favorite place to stay. Kathryn had chalet #4 ready for
Clarice and I, as she knows it is our favorite. Our colleagues had chalets close by and we then went to unload vehicle.
Since the steps up and down Mayoka Village are so steep, it is best to locate our rooms before making any effort to haul
luggage around. We all had dinner together, and then Clarice and I returned to our chalet for the evening.
The next morning, I telephoned Bill Ottoway, Kathryn’s father, to see if he was available to go with us to interview a
young girl with spinal difida. The girl lives with her family, at a tea plantation, about 30 km off the tarmac road that is
reached via 4-wheel drive. He and his wife, Liz, know the girl as she sometimes comes to the hospital with serious
bedsores. They had made a special pillow for her to sit on and it had relieved her of some of the bedsore-associated
problems. However, she clearly needs means for transport so she can get to school on her own. Bill caught a ride on a
minivan to the police gate just outside Nkhata Bay. Since their home is near Muzuzu, and the turn-off for the plantation
was between Nkhata Bay and their place, it was a shorter drive for us to have him meet us at the police gate.
The drive down the dirt road was pleasant and rough in only a few places. Due to the need to drive slowly, it took about
40 minutes to reach the factory and the home of Janet. She was quite shy, speaks only Tinga, and did not look at us
directly the entire time we sat in their home. She does go to school and, according to her mother, who speaks English, is
progressing well. We took photos, video-recorded the interview, and make measurements of her height, legs, etc.
Mayoka Village
We explained the reason for our interview at the beginning of our
visit and the mother had sent for three bottles of soft drinks to
serve to us. Such an extravagance is not common and we
demonstrated our appreciation
Unknown to us, as we did the interview, a group of young boys
decided to shove wood into the locks on the doors of the Land
Cruiser—there are three: the two front doors and the rear hatch.
When we prepared to leave, I found I was unable to fit the key
into to lock and then realized what had happened. Bill tried to dig
the wood out with his pocketknife as I checked the rear hatch.
There I found wood still sticking out of the lock and was able to
pull it out easily. So I gained entry into the vehicle and unlocked
one door from the inside.
As the boys spoke no English, there was no reason to scold them
verbally but I am sure my facial expression was plain enough for
them to understand our frustration with their act.
We drove back to the highway and on to Bill’s home where we
had a light lunch then worked to extract the wood. Bill had some
flat wire that worked to extract the wood so we did not have to
remove the panels and disassemble the locks.
Afterward, we walked down a forest path into a canyon where
there is a creek from which they get their water. A water pump,
driven by water pressure from the stream, pumps the water up the
100 foot grade to their water tanks that sit above their home on a
tower. The elevated tanks provide sufficient water pressure for
their home and garden.
The water pump system was installed in the 1960’s by Liz’s grandfather who had lived there since the late 1940’s. It has
continued to operate ever since and uses no electricity or other means of power other than the water pressure from the
stream flow. Furthermore, there is little maintenance required other than to relieve the build up of pressure in the pump
every couple of weeks and to remove sand that accumulates in the lines once in a while. The only other maintenance
operation is to replace the rubber seals once very 5 years. Both the longevity and continuous operation without need for
electricity or other power source allow them to have virtually free water all year long.
We left Bill’s house and drove back to Nkhata Bay and Mayoka Village. The others had remained at Mayoka Village and
relaxed all day. It was Ingrid’s birthday and we had arranged to have a cake made. Only after everyone at the Village had
eaten, they brought out the cake, with lights dimmed, and sang Happy Birthday. One very large candle stuck out of the
cake and Ingrid blew it out before cutting it into enough pieces to share within our group and with Benson, a local wood
carver who had come to deliver many key chain nametags everyone had ordered.
July 23rd to 25th
Nkhata Bay, Malawi
These days went by quickly. Ingrid McBride remained at Mayoka Village, our accommodations, to work on a report that
will be due upon her return, and she is scheduled to leave earlier than the rest of us. The students basically relaxed and
enjoyed their time together to include a boat trip during which they got to watch a fishing eagle dive for planted fish and
they jumped into the lake off of a 7-meter cliff. They had that adventure on the day of Kristi’s birthday and she voiced a
willingness to be adventuresome on her special day.
Weariness was certainly setting in and they remained to themselves much of the time. Meanwhile, Clarice and I scheduled
three additional interviews for people with disabilities. Kathryn Wiggle, owner of Mayoka Village, had arranged for a
young girl, with knees that turn inward, to come to see us. Also, one of the cooks has a 2-½ year-old son who has a
paralysis of one arm that also affects the leg somewhat. His grandmother, who appeared young enough to be his mother,
brought that boy to Mayoka Village. The girl came with her mother and we were able to record the interviews on the sand,
next to the Lake. The bartender, Kenani, willingly provided translation.
Janet
The boy, Moses Phiri, seemed that he would benefit from a device that
encouraged exercise of his limbs although his grandmother said that
when he does try to move his arm he cries with pain. The girl, Modesta
Maluna, has knees that are not symmetrical and some form of brace
might be appropriate although I will leave that decision to the experts at
ASU. Later, I telephoned Bill Ottoway to ask if his wife, Elizabeth, might
be able to arrange for an X-ray to be taken and sent so that a more
informed effort might be made for Modesta.
We also interviewed a woman, Doris Kayanage, aged 39, who had
suffered bone cancer and had her left leg amputated at age 16. A couple
of the students went with me to record this interview, as Clarice did not
feel well. Doris was provided with a prosthesis from Queen Elizabeth
Central Hospital,
in Blantyre, at
that time but it
eventually gave
out. The
replacement,
for which she
had to pay, was
not as well
designed and so
Doris has had
to use a cane
ever since.
We followed Doris to a location where the interview could be
conducted in private and the lop-sided nature of her gait was
clearly evident. With the two female students to assist, we were
able to get measurements from Doris that might prove helpful in
the effort to provide assistance.
The rest of the say in Nkhata Bay was relatively uneventful and
we packed to leave on the morning of the 25th. The drive south
to Lilongwe took all day with a stop at the Pottery Factory near
Nkotakota. The sun was setting as we wound down the hills into
Lilongwe, which made for a glare on the windshield. By the
time we reached Lilongwe, it was dark so we had to deal with
drivers who, for some reason, choose to not use their headlights.
For some, I know they probably do not work, while for others it
seems that they resist using them. I was relieved to
pull into the Golden Peacock rest house, where we
unloaded our luggage.
Before dinner, there was need to separate audiology-
related items that would remain in Lilongwe and
those that would return to the US. Ingrid’s
scheduled departure is for the next morning
(Monday, July 26) so she had to get her things ready
to go—to include packing souvenirs into her Action
Packer. At one point, she had spoken of leaving it in
Lilongwe but now she saw why I had assured them
that these tough, sturdy, boxes would be handy to
use to pack their souvenirs.
Doris Kayanage
Moses Phiri
Modesta Maluna
27. VOCATIONAL SERVICE
Vocational Service is the "Second Avenue of Service." No aspect of
Rotary is more closely related to each member than a personal
commitment to represent one's vocation or occupation to fellow
Rotarians and to exemplify the characteristics of high ethical
standards and the dignity of work. Programs of vocational service are
those which seek to improve business relations while improving the
quality of trades, industry, commerce and the professions. Rotarians
understand that each person makes a valuable contribution to a better
society through daily activities in a business or profession.
Vocational Service is frequently demonstrated by offering young
people career guidance, occupational information and assistance in
making vocational choices. Some clubs sponsor high school career
conferences. Many recognize the dignity of employment by honoring
exemplary service of individuals working in their communities. The
4-Way Test and other ethical and laudable business philosophies are
often promoted among young people entering the world of work.
Vocational talks and discussion of business issues are also typical
vocational service programs at most clubs.
Regardless of the ways that Vocational Service is expressed, it is the
banner by which Rotarians "recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations" and demonstrate a commitment to "high
ethical standards in all businesses and professions." That's why the Second Avenue of Service is fundamental to every
Rotary club.
28. SHARING ROTARY WITH NEW MEMBERS
Are you aware of the responsibility or obligation most Rotarians fail to perform? Paying their dues? Attending meetings?
Contributing to the club's service fund? Participating in club events and projects? No- none of these!
Of all the obligations a person accepts when joining a Rotary club, the one in which most Rotarians fail is "sharing
Rotary." The policies of Rotary International clearly affirm that every individual Rotarian has an "obligation to share
Rotary with others and to help extend Rotary through proposing qualified persons for Rotary club membership." It is
estimated that less than 30 percent of the members of most Rotary clubs have ever made the effort to propose a new
member. Thus, in every club, there are many Rotarians who readily accept the pleasures of being a Rotarian without ever
sharing that privilege with another qualified individual.
The Rotary policy on club membership states: "In order for a Rotary club to be fully relevant to its community and
responsive to the needs of those in the community, it is important and necessary that the club include in its membership all
fully qualified prospective members located within its territory." One merely has to glance through the yellow pages of the
local telephone directory to realize that most clubs have not invited qualified members of all businesses and professions
into Rotary.
Only a Rotarian may propose a customer, neighbor, client, supplier, executive, relative, business associate, professional or
other qualified person to join a Rotary club. Have you accepted your obligation to share Rotary? The procedures are very
simple, and everyone must know at least one person who should belong to Rotary.
I Choose THINKING The late Dr. Ken McFarland said, "2% of the people think. 3% of the people think
they think. And 95% of the people would really rather die than think."
What did he mean by that? I think what he meant was that most people don't
understand that there is a difference between really THINKING and mental activity.
Most people do not think deliberately. Most people live at the mercy of their habits
of thought, at the mercy of what their physical senses bombard them with, at the
mercy of outer conditions. Most people live their lives from the outside in, feeling
helpless and powerless, because most people have no idea that there's another way.
I spent the first thirty-five years of my life not knowing that I had complete control of
it, and that I was, in fact, creating every bit of the "icky-ness" that I was experiencing
in that life by virtue of what I was doing (or not doing) with my mind.
Did you know that every single person on this planet possesses six mental faculties
which, when PROPERLY controlled and put to use on behalf of the success of the
person using them, can completely transform an "icky" life into a life that is filled
with beauty, joy, prosperity, radiant health, and healthy relationships? I know this
from experience, and I must also say here that whatever the physical circumstances
are doesn't matter one bit!
We all know what our five physical senses are, don't we? And we also know that there is no such thing as controlling what
something looks like or smells like or physically feels like or tastes like or sounds like. A strawberry tastes like a
strawberry to my physical sense of taste - I can't tell my taste buds to change what they are tasting. My neighbor’s dog
barking sounds like a dog barking no matter how much I would like to tell my sense of hearing to hear a piano playing. I
have no control whatsoever over what my physical senses convey to me.
I do, however, have control over what I THINK about what my senses convey to me, and that is what this series of
messages will be addressing.
This series will introduce you to the power and control that you really do have over how you experience your life. What
you choose to do with it will be completely up to you. The 95% of people who would rather die than THINK would rather
die because changing their habits of thought feels way too hard to them. So they live their lives by default, a muted
version of who they could really be if they would only choose to pay attention to what they do with their mind...
As an aid to this series I am going to share a poem with you that I wrote last year. It's called, "The Workings of the
Human Mind," and I will be adding a verse per week until we've covered all six of the mental faculties - so at the end of
seven weeks you'll have the whole thing. I would like to encourage you to practice paying attention each week to how you
use the faculty that is introduced that particular week. Play around with it. Get a feel for how powerful you really are in
your own life with the simple choice to experiment with how you use each of the faculties. And have fun with this, okay?
Here we go...
I Choose THINKING
This week I choose to pay attention to my thoughts, and to ask myself
often, "What am I doing with my mind? Does this train of thought take me
where I want to go? What would happen if I were to deliberately switch
tracks?" I know that I do not HAVE to think thoughts that limit me or make
me feel bad. This week I simply choose to practice paying attention to - and
being responsible for - what I am thinking in each moment, situation, and
circumstance.
I am really looking forward to sharing this series with you! Please feel free
to get in touch if you have questions or comments.
In Gratitude,
Sandra Anne Daly Author and Certified Life Mastery Consultant
www.chooseyouruniverse.com
Daly Thoughts
Sandra Anne Daly
The Workings of the Human Mind
How do we travel the road to our Dream
To arrive at the life we want?
By using our mental faculties
And keeping our Dream out front*
"What's a mental faculty?" you ask
Allow me to explain them
They are separate and individual
But they must be used in tandem
"The way my life is right now is a direct result of my habits of thought."
~~Me~~
* This is what "keeping our Dream out front" means: It means facing forward in life focused on what we would LOVE to
live, rather than looking to the future with fear or an expectation of something negative happening. It means facing
forward with the intention of creating a wonderful experience rather than looking behind us and shaking our clenched fist
at our history (whether we're angry about something that happened to us, or upset that something we loved has ended). It
means keeping a picture of what we WANT to live right in the front of our mind where we can call it up and take a look at
it on a regular basis.
DG Glenn's Comments
A Welcome! to all Rotarians of the beginning of Rotary year 2010-2011. This will
be a year for Rotarians around the world to begin "BUILDING COMMUNITIES
AND BRIDGING CONTENIENTS. More on the Rotary International President Ray
Klinginsmith's Theme for 2010-2011 later.
Let me introduce myself – I am Glenn W. Smith, your District Governor for 2010-
2011. I hope to be able to meet each one of you over the next 12 months as we work
on implementing your Club Goals and visions for 2010-2011. By now your Club's
Planning Guide for Effective Rotary Clubs should have been presented to your Club.
This Club planning tool was prepared by each Club President before the PETS
training event. This tool is a goal-setting worksheet used by Clubs to help its
leadership and members plan the Club's activities for the new Rotary year.
I have chosen to focus my efforts this year toward helping you and your Club to
"Seize the Vision" – your vision. As Rotarians, we need to "Seize the Vision". If we
reject the possibility that it may work, we may miss the opportunity. The success of
a vision rests on the willingness of people to examine the vision's potential." Rotary
International President Elect Ray Klinginsmith said: We must be "BIGGER – BETTER – BOLDER". More on "Seize the
Vision" in the August Newsletter.
I want to share with you the following District Goals:
District and Club Strategic Planning /Visioning – Where are you going and how will you get there?
Membership: Improve Retention and Increase recruitment
The Rotary Foundation – Support and utilization of funding opportunities
Group Study Exchange: District 9640 Australia: will be out-bound Rotary years 2010-11 & in-bound 2011-12
Membership Development - Growth and Retention: "Each Rotarian: Reach One, Keep One"
RI: New Member Sponsor & Retention Recognition Program – July 1, 2010
New Membership Committee Structure - District Regional Membership Coordinators (DRMC).
Rotary Foundation support and utilization – "Every Rotarian – Every Year"
Training Opportunity: November 6, 2010 – Location: EVIT (Mesa)
Grant Utilization
I want to share some very relevant words spoken by 2009-2010 PRI President John Kenny:
"I will simply rely on you, as responsible people, to see to it that we have more qualified members, true Rotarians, at the
end of the year that we had at the beginning. And I will rely on you to do your best to see to the mentoring of our newest
members, for retention is no less important than recruitment."
I concur with PRIP John Kenny as District 5510 is at a crossroads with membership and membership retention. To help
Clubs with this most important program, I have reorganized the District Membership and Retention Program. In addition
to appointing Claus Johnson (Past President/Assistant Governor) of the Tempe South Rotary Club to Chair the District
Membership Committee, I established a new Committee structure under Claus called District Rotary Area Coordinators
whose job is to work directly with each Club assigned to them. This assignment is similar to the Assistant Governors
assignment. They have been hard at work for the past several months getting to know your Club President and discussing
how they can help your Club in membership development and retention. I have also appointed Dick Tannenbaum (Past
President, Past Assistant Governor) of the E-Club of the Southwest, to chair District Club Extension Committee (New
Club Development) to expand our membership and to locate new Clubs in area where Clubs do not exist at this time. Dick
is looking "outside of the box" to discover new areas for potential Clubs, especially for New Generational Clubs under
direction of RI.
Let me introduce you to one of the most important members of my Leadership team Sherry – my wife and my "SideKick".
Sherry has been by my side all through my Rotary career. She came up with the "SideKick" name and uses it in her email
address: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to
view it . You will meet her as she accompanies me on all of my Club Assemblies and Visitations. She has attended all of
the RI District Governor training events that we had to attend over the past two years. She also has a "spot" called "The
SideKick's Corner" in the District Newsletter to write her own observations as we journey down the exciting "Rotary
Road" together.
I want to end with a "Thought to Ponder" for July 2010 from George BernARD Shaw: "I am of the opinion that my life
belongs to the Community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can."
See you on the Rotary Road --- Building Communities and Bridging Continents.
DG Glenn
PICTURES FROM GOVERNOR GLENN’S INSTALLATION
1 ```````````````````````````aa
Your Club is invited to join Tempe Rio Salado and our Sister Club,
the Rotary Club of Islamabad, Pakistan, to become part of this important Global Peace Initiative!
NO COST INVOLVED! STAND AND
BE COUNTED!
Looking for a COST EFFECTIVE Literacy Project?
Are you working with a limited Club service budget or short of voluynteers?
Would you like to get books to hundreds of impoverished valley children for just a few cents per book?
Contact Rotarian Jack Buckles & learn about Pathway to Reading! [email protected]
Ligers – The World’s Biggest Cats!
The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species
The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S. ) is a wildlife education organization, dedicated to
promoting global conservation with informative, educational and entertaining interactive programs. Their animal
ambassadors are important living examples of current worldwide environmental issues, helping teach people about the
importance of conservation and global biodiversity. T.I.G.E.R.S. also works closely with international wildlife
conservation projects in Africa and Thailand. In addition to providing much needed funds for these programs, their
personnel have been involved in field research as well. The TIGERS Preservation Stations help make all of this possible
as they entertain and educate the public about the importance of wildlife and our environment. Through their appearances
on the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and NBC's Tonight Show, they are able to reach hundreds of millions of people
with their educational message of the importance of wild animal conservation.
Bobbi de Haan’s Born to be Wild
Celebrating the Care and Husbandry of Exotic and Endangered Wildlife
All About Ligers by Dr Bhagavan Antle
Ligers are extremely social animals. They are happy and content living with both lions and tigers. They also display
genuine affection for their human handler's and trainers.
Ligers are giants because of "hybrid vigor", in which they gain the strengths and attributes of both parents. Ligers are
bigger than both their parents combined. Ligers live long, healthy lives. They are very smart and show great resistance to
illness and disease.
Contrary to popular belief, ligers are not a "man-made" creation. They are the result of a male lion and a female tiger that
have been raised together and decide they like each other enough to breed.
Similar to pizzlies (polar bear / grizzly bear hybrids) and wolphins (whale / dolphin hybrids), ligers may have existed in
the wild for thousands of years. Over vast amounts of time and due to declining lion and tiger populations however their
territories no longer overlap.
Animals of stunning size and beauty like ligers capture people's attention so they become more willing to learn about
critical conservation issues. The unique opportunity to see these incredible animals up close and un-caged gives people a
greater understanding and appreciation of all animals.
Ligers and other unique big cats presented in alternative educational programs fill important roles as ambassadors for
conservation issues. We have found that after an up-close, un-caged experience with these animals, people are willing to
learn about the increasing global issues and possible solutions to save our planet's biodiversity.
Do not be fooled into thinking that conservation traditions that have so often failed are the right way. There is no one
right way to do anything. Wildlife will only survive with a million Noah's and a million arks!
For over 25 years as a conservation educator I have reached millions of people through live shows and tens of millions via
television. In my experience, the most effective teaching tool is watching big animals like ligers interacting in a personal
way with their handlers and friends. It can be a profoundly moving, transformational experience. It puts a personal face on
the impersonal statistics of worldwide species destruction. People then become willing to learn about the increasing global
issues and possible solutions to save our planet's bio diversity.
We might be too late to save the tiger, in all likelihood that may be beyond hope. Wild tigers are a symbol of the critical
danger facing every inhabitant of planet Earth. We are trying to save the worlds last wild environments, restore the health
of the seas and reduce atmospheric pollution.
Many conservation efforts in the world's poorer
countries fail because they are short sighted and lack
the elements that are needed to sustain them over the
long term.
Present efforts may not be enough to save all
endangered, but ligers with their beauty and physical
prowess, are helping to conserve what biodiversity
remains by assisting us as conservation ambassadors.
The world must REDUCE its consumption, REUSE
all that it can and RENEW all the rest or the animals
will disappear and we will follow close behind.
Captive breeding programs as well as the sustainable
management of wild species as renewable resources
must be considered in any discussion of the
preservation of critically endangered species.
While some people do not consider ligers as
"zoologically significant", their true importance is in
getting people's attention and helping to convey the
importance of global biodiversity and conservation.
Obviously it works. . . . . after all, you are visiting the
website and reading this statement.
Did you know that Bhagavan Antle and Rio Macaw are Facebook Friends?
Makes a Great Christmas present!
.
NEW BOOK BENEFITS PROJECTS
A new 111 page look at some of our cats at
T.I.G.E.R.S. Preserve.
All the photos r shot in our new on site studio.
"The grace and purity of the feline form is
accentuated aginst the blank setting of a studio
background, giving these images a candid and
intimate feel. An extraordinary sense of personality
shines through along with the striking color, markings
texture shown unhindered and up close"
You can order signed copies of this book from us at
[email protected] for $25
All proceeds go to our Rare Species Fund projects.
SUPPORT DR. ANTLE’S
WORK! BUY A BOOK!
James Greene’s Timmy the Squirrel
Memorial Bizarre Pictures of Cute Little Animals
JACK BUCKLES’ TEARS OF JOY
Funny Stories, Bad Jokes, Bumper Stickers, etc.
There was just a dog fight
A man walks into a bar one day and asks, "Does anyone here own that rottweiler
outside?"
"Yeah, I do!" a biker says, standing up. "What about it?"
"Well, I think my chihuahua just killed him..."
"What are you talkin' about?!" the biker says, disbelievingly. "How could your little runt
kill my rottweiler?"
"Well, it seems he got stuck in your dog's throat!"
Change of Partners
pppppp
p
partners
What would they look like
with different sidekicks?
RIO MACAW’S
FACEBOOK PAGE
Rio now has 717 friends on his Facebook page.
What’s even more amazing is that more than 200 of
them are from different countries around the world,
true to the spirit of Rotary International.
Rio currently has friends in:
India
Greece
Turkey
Argentina
Portugal
Denmark
Italy
England
Venezuela
Bangladesh
Pakistan
South Africa
Brazil
Chile
Mexico
You can visit Rio at this link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/rio.macaw?ref=name
The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands!
The 2011
WE TOUR
Walk Across America
For Special Needs Kids
