President Mike Malone called the meeting to order and thanked Robert Roddick and his team for set up.  Matt Clements led everyone in the flag salute.  Tony Thatcher held down the desk duty.  Bill Weirick and Al West were our friendly greeters. As always, a big thank you to Ginger Case for feeding us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marty Babayco, in the way of invocation, read the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost; that so truly represents Rotary, the membership of our dear club that it is deserving of a repeat performance, here:

 

 

 

 

Brett Bradigan introduced our program today, Joey Buttitta KEYT Anchor and Great Race winner.

 

Visiting Rotarians…NONE, Amazing!

 

Announcements:

 

Cheree Edwards gave us a tentative date (April 21^st) for christening the new pavilion.  We will be combining our annual Arbor Day program with the pavilion ribbon cutting and the time capsule dedication.  If you haven’t yet, stop by and take a look, it's awe-inspiring.

 

Bob Davis challenged us all with a $10 pledge for each inch of rain that falls between March 2nd and the 21st; to benefit Polio Plus.  Bill Weirick is the official gage keeper. We are hoping for 40 inches, and lots participation in the challenge.  This editor is IN…Who else??

 

The big event is nigh!  Marty Babayco, who should be canonized for his work with the kids every year.  Announced the opening of “URINETOWN, the Musical” this coming Thursday, March 8th and running through the 18th.  Shows start at 7 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday.  $22 General Admission, $17 for most of us (Seniors) and Students, are $10.  If you haven’t been to one of these plays, you aren’t living!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leslie Bouche did an excellent job as our Fine Master bringing some useful trivia regarding old superstitions and their origination.  Walking under a ladder goes back thousands of years; as it turns out passing through a triangle pisses off the gods. Who knew?  And the number thirteen is the worst possible number of dinner guests.  We all knew that!   Everyone stepped up this week for confessions.  Mark Whitman just hit 60 and gave $100; there were too many more to mention here due to space constraints..and my slow pen at the meeting.  But Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brett Bradigan had the pleasure of introducing Joey Buttitta.  Morning Anchor at Santa Barbara’s KEYT Channel 3.  Who just barely squeaked in after covering the mudslides in Montecito after the overnight rain.

 

Joey has always been an overachiever. At Royal High School he was captain of the varsity football and basketball teams and a starter on the varsity golf team.

 

As mentioned above, Joey now co-anchors News Channel 3's morning newscast from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and News Channel 3 Midday at 11:00 a.m.  He also co-anchors "Friday Football Focus" on News Channel 3 and KCOY 12 during high school football season.

 

On December 24, 2015. Joey Buttitta and Kelsey Gerckens (now his wife) were crowned the winners of the Amazing Race.  After five continents, ten countries and over 34,000 miles they took home the one-million-dollar prize.  When asked if their wedding day was the most significant event in their lives, they both had to say no, it was the five weeks traipsing all over the world during the Race.  Joey gave a fascinating talk with pictures and video of the Race; where he and Kelsey kicked another couple out of their cab and Kelsey jumped off a cliff on a zip line. He also brought footage of his reporting on the Thomas fire and Montecito mudslides.  

 

 

Mr. Malone closed the meeting with one of his thoughts for the day, which I will admit to stealing for use with my clients. 

 

Warren Buffet (the Oracle) said: 

 

“You don’t get credit for predicting rain, you get credit for building the Ark."  

 

In this market, nothing could be more poignant.