The Friendly Club
Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona

e-Strathconian


Sunday, April 20, 2008
Club Web Site

Editor:   Hans Granholm
If you have any comments or questions, email the editor.

Future Speakers
Apr 22 2008
Paul Winsor - Executive Director
"Salvation Army - Grace Manor"
Apr 29 2008
Katrina Genuis - Student
"Climate Change: Our Decisions, Our Future"
May 6 2008
Tristan Klassen - Operation Eyesight
"Reaching Out: Bringing Eye Care to Those Who Need it Most "
May 13 2008
Dave Rayner
"The Emerging Tiger"
May 20 2008
Mary Cameron - Board Chair
"Habitat for Humanity - Edmonton"
May 27 2008
Kelly Williams
"Classification Presentation"
Jun 10 2008
Fun Golf Tourney
"Kinsmen Pitch n Putt"
Jun 24 2008
No Meeting
Jun 25 2008
Rotating Wheel Dinner

Upcoming Events
Big Bin Event
May 3 2008 - May 4 2008
Capital Region Integrity Awards Dinner
May 8 2008
2008 District 5370 Conference
May 22 2008 - May 25 2008
"Rotating Wheel Dinner"
Jun 25 2008
District Governor's Official Visit
Jul 8 2008
Leo
Dec 31 2008

News
Mark Your Calendars!
GSE Inbound for May 2008
ClubRunner News and Update Information
Tech Talk

This eBulletin has been generated with the ClubRunner club communication software. Visit clubrunner.ca for more details.

© 2002-05 Doxess. All Rights Reserved.


ClubRunner Sponsors
Please visit our Sponsors.
To place your ad click here.

Club Site Sponsors
This space is reserved for your name and/or logo.
Want more information? click on "Interested in being a Website Sponsor?" in the lower right area of a page. Or click on this text to send an e-mail to the site administrator.
Please visit our Site Sponsors.
To place your ad click here.

Welcome to the Edmonton Strathcona Website
by Hans Granholm

Welcome to "The Friendly Club" and our Web Site. How to contact the site administrator. Click on 'More...' below.


free hit counter



Strathcona members and Other Users, if you are unsure how to log in, click online HELP, or contact the site administrator Hans Granholm
phone: 780-466-5566 any time.

For more information about our club, click HERE

For full information on our upcoming Speakers, click on the speaker's name.

Members can access the Club Constitution and By-Laws from ADMIN | CLUB DOCUMENTS after login.

Upcoming Events and Reminders in the next few days...
by Hans Granholm

Apr 22; Elaine & Wally Romaniuk; Anniversary
Apr 25; Joyce & Hans Pilz; Anniversary
Apr 26; Shirley & John Barnes; Anniversary (BIG half century!)


Tuesday noon belongs to Rotary!

Look in "Upcoming Events" for other activities taking place in the near future.

Speaker Review - Apr 15 - Roberta Bedard
by Jim Ashton
     Ah.......Retirement!  You've worked your butt off the past forty years, and that time in life you've dreamt about for the past decade is upon you.  But, are you ready for the changes in lifestyle that retirement will thrust upon you?  According to Roberta Bedard, our newest member, many are not really ready for retirement.........   

     Roberta, a former member (charter member) - Avenue of Nations Rotary Club, addressed her current vocation as Lifestyle Retirement Planner during her classification talk.  A Francophone from birth, Roberta went through some dramatic lifestyle changes herself through the nineties, and early into the 2000's.  She lost her husband to Alzheimers, and through that difficult time had to give up Rotary.

     Missing her enjoyment of Rotary, Roberta decided to get back into the organization, and "The Friendly Club" is the benefactor of this decision.  Now, back to some highlights of Roberta's talk......

     Some of the major decisions facing those moving into retirement are "where" to retire, their general health conditions, what to do with their free time, and how leaving the workforce will impact their "sense of worth".  Roberta made the comment that many who do retire end up going back to work, either in a paid, or a voluntary position.

     Addressing the health aspect, practising a majority of the following seven effective habits will carry you a long way:  1) Seven to eight hours of sleep, 2) Eating breakfast, 3) Small frequent meals (but not snacking), 4) Controlling weight, 5) Exercising, 6) Limiting alcohol consumption, and 7) Never having smoked.

     Stressors play a huge factor in our health, and Roberta alluded to the Holmes-Rahe Scale of Recent Life Changes as a measure of how situations/circumstances in our lives impact our health.  It is interesting stuff, but too lengthy to include here.  To review this data, Google the site of Holmes-Rahe......

     One interesting comment made by Roberta was when she was addressing both spouses in retirement mode together in their place of residence, and how the fairer gender would consider the sound of the male partner doing dishes as "erotic".  (Editors Note:  I never realized that when I was doing dishes wearing just my wife's Victoria's Secrets undergarments that it was considered "erotic" - kinky maybe, but erotic?).  See the information you are missing when you can't attend a Program?

     Overall, an interesting classification, and it certainly got the wheels going in the minds of many Rotarians in attendance.  Welcome to Edmonton Strathcona Roberta!  

Open and hardcopy Roberta's 'Retirement Readiness Checklist'       

Leo McCloskey Buggy Ride
by Hans Granholm

We have set up a volunteer ride system for Leo to enable him to attend our regular Tuesday meetings.

Open this LINK to the volunteering page. You will be prompted to log in. Simply select the day you want to drive Leo. You will be reminded about your committment at the bottom of thee-Strathconian of your task, or you can always check your Tasks and Registrations from the 'My Committments' link in the My ClubRunner box on the ADMIN page after login.
If you are unable to open the 'Volunteer' page but want to volunteer, contact me any time.

You will also receive a reminder about your committment by email on the preceding Monday.
Leo has a list of the Ride Schedule and will contact you in the event he is unable to go to a particular meeting.
If your plans change, please contact me immediately

In addition to the MAP on "Leo's Buggy Ride" event page, Jim Ashton is passing the following tips on to future 'Riders':


"Just a few notes on Leo's ride.  I hadn't opened up the map, but instead Leo gave me the logistics.

Coming into Beaumont from Edmonton on 50th street, drive through the town to the large church (on the left hand side) at the lights.  Turn left at the lights and drive to the first stop sign.  Turn right at the stop sign and go to 46th avenue.  Turn left at 46th avenue.  Leo's home is the fourth one down on the right hand side - 4213.

The time that works for Leo is pick-up at 11:10 AM.
Leo pointed out a couple of bumps to watch for, so I questioned whether the vehicle impacting rough road hurts him.  It does.  So, a tip to the drivers --avoid any uneccessary bumps or potholes."


 
Leo really enjoys the opportunity to get out and attend the meetings.

Hans Granholm
p: 780-466-5566
e: hgrdane@telusplanet.net

Questionaire Results
by Ted Griffiths

From a secure area, you as club members can read all about the new board's questionaire results.  Some issues that the new board will discuss and hopefully change for the better were identified.

To gain access you must log-in.  Then on the Administratin page click view club documents in "club runner" box.  Select #88 for Questionaire Results and click view.

Speaker Review - Apr 08 - Dale Schula
by Jim Ashton
GREEN & GOLD......When Edmontonian's think green and gold, the Edmonton Eskimo's usually come to mind.  When Dale Schula, Director of Athletics at the University of Alberta talks green and gold however, there is no doubt he is speaking about the colors of the tremendously successful Golden Bears and Pandas sports teams.......

     Dale, along with U of A soccer star Hilaire Kamden, gave a brief but concise presentation on the Athleltic program at the U of A.  The sports program is one of the "best kept secrets in Edmonton", Dale states.  For decades, the U of A has set the bar high, and, along with UBC, shares the spot for having the best athletic programs in Canada. 

     With the likes of legendary coaches Clare Drake (hockey), and Don Horowich (basketball), to name but two, it is no wonder the U of A has garnered 39 (yes THIRTY NINE) national titles in collegiate action.  In terms of the number of athletes developed who have moved forward in their respective sports, they rank second only to McGill, who have just two national titles.  Amazing! (Editor's note: When you are writing like crazy to take notes of what is said, there may be discrepancies between what was stated, and actually written. The editor makes no apologies for this, and, when he is paid what George Plimpton would have been paid, will be more reliable).

     What makes the success of the U of A athletic program even more of a story is the budgeting.  With a budget in the range of some $5 Million, 54% of these monies are generated from central university funds.  Other universities the scale of the U of A receive funding upwards of 65% of budget from this same system.  So while the other universities have to go out and secure 30-35% of budget through fund raising, the U of A is challeneged with securing 46%.  To continue to be the Campus of Champions, as Dale put it, the U of A has to be that much more effective in their fundraising efforts.  Major events, like huge fundraising breakfasts, are the order of the day to attain their budgetary needs.

     Some $1 Million of the budget is offered in the form of athletic scholarships.  An interesting note is that all of the U of A Golden Bear hockey team receive paid tuition, as well as room and board, these monies being covered by the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL).

     Hilaire Kamden, from Cameroon, West Africa, is a devoted advocate of the U of A athletic program.  Hiliare, a student of Environmental Sciences, scored the winning goal with the Golden Bear soccer team in 2006, when they won the CIS national title.  Hildaire bleeds green and gold, and understandably so.  In 2002, when his father passed away in Cameroon, he was presented with an airline ticket so he could be there during this tragic time in a families life.  Also, for a one year period, Hilaire was out of commission in terms of his soccer playing with an injured leg, and marveled at how supportive the program was to him during this time.  

     During the Q & A, the question was put to Dale Schula about the U of A track and field team.  They currently are ranked fifth and sixth in the male and female CIS rankings.  Dale stated that within the next two years, their goal is to move up to third, if not second.  Funny, I wouldn't bet against it!         

GSE in the News
by Granholm, Hans
Please read about the plans posted by Graham Gilchrist for the incoming GSE team in the News LINK
District Governor Offical Annual Visit
by Hans Granholm

We are delighted to welcome our District Governor, Ross Tyson on July 8 at our regular meeting place, the German Canadian Cultural Assoc.


This is the District Governor's official annual visit to our club. Traditionally, the DG will meet with the club Board earlier in the day.

Please invite your 'Significant Other' to hear the Governor's address to the club.

see EVENTS

Big Bin; May 3-4 2008
by Hans Granholm
President Peter announced the club's participation in the "Big Bin Event", a program where community groups participate in the collection of refuse.

This time of year we hear enough complaints about how ugly it is as the snow disappears. Here we have an opportunity to actually do something constructive about it.

Rotary Clubs have participated in this program before and we should support our Board's decision to provide some funding and manpower to the project.

One week-end has been identified as 'Edmonton Strathcona' day. May 3 & 4. The collection spot is at 5404-59 Ave.

This LINK will open the site page on the City of Edmonton web site. Here you can read more about the program.

Sign up and VOLUNTEER AT THIS LINK

'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?'
by Hans Granholm
2008 Summary...

This is a social program of the Edmonton Strathcona Rotary Club. It is an opportunity for club members and spouses/companions to meet other club members in an informal, social, small group setting. Dates are all Saturday nights at 7:00 PM. The most important part of this program is the fellowship and the opportunity to get to know each other better. 

Full details are explained and are available for viewing and printing at THIS LINK. Need more info on the event?...



From the keyboard of your Editor:

The third and final evening of the season was another huge success, from the perspective of this participant.

Linda and I + Anna were pleased to host this time around.
Our surprise guest were Bruce and Diana Kemp, and Art and Joyce Baird. Unfortunately for us at least, Joyce was pressed into babysitting service at the last moment due to the premature arrival of a new grandchild. Everyone is fine and I'm sure Art will gloat about the details at our next meeting.
We had invited Les and Debby Reynolds and Eric and Val Solash to join us as well, so it was a full house at 'Bodega Granholm' as our modest accommodations was transformed into on this wondereful occasion.


It cannot be over-emphasized how wonderful this program is, especially for newer members to the club, but I think our more seasoned members, not participating, are missing out on the equal opportunity to meet our new members and partners in a small setting.

Thank You to   Peter Denooy   for arranging and managing the event this year.

4-Way Test
by Hans Granholm
RI link: 4-Way Test
News from Michaela
by Hans Granholm

Dear all.

Sorry for this combined mail, just thought it was a bit easier, as I would say the same to all of you :-) Thank you very much for your birthday cards, that was very nice of you.



Things are going well here. I'm busy with school and have to finish a paper for my internship. I've decided to take my masters in political science, i had considered to take it at the business school, but it wasn't as easy as I had hoped to get in there (I had to take some subjects in communication and economics), so now I'll see where this degree leeds me. I think I might postpone my thesis a semester, I should write it next spring, but might postpone till the autumn. I've got a new job at WWF in there communication department. It's very interesting and I helped arranged the event Earth Hour, quite cool to be part of such a big event.
 
Mikkel is thinking of buying half of my apartment and then we are going to renovate the bathroom and kitchen,very exited about how it's going to look as we might tear a wall down in the process. We are going to Malaysia this summer for a month. We are flying to Singapore and from there we fly up north east to some islands to dive, then to Kuala Lumpur with a jungle railway (!) and then we fly to Borneo where we are going to do some walking in the rainforest and dive once again at apparently one of the best dive sites in the world. We are really looking forward to it. Mikkel graduated from the business school in November and has a job at Bysted, which is a communication agency.
 
I think that was about that for a little update about me. Hope that you all are well.
 
love,
Michaela

(Editor Note: you can also read this story and others at her web page: Michaela Simonsen

Dr. Sim's 'Feed the Children in North Korea'
by Jeong Sim
*** NEW  Jeong Sim's report  April 2008 ***

click on the link above to open Jeongs report
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SLIDE PRESENTATION MAY TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO DOWNLOAD
 
~0~
Open this link to see letter of invitation to other Club Service Directors


No Child Should Die Hungry and Alone.

 

Imagine a modern country where nearly 40 per cent of children under six die of starvation. Severe famine has hit North Korea , and its people are suffering in silence . North Korea's 23 million people need 6 million tones of food to eat well, but they have been able to produce barely half that much. People are chronically malnourished, and many die-especially the children (always the most vulnerable in any society). Without your help-immediately-an entire generation may perish. You can save three children's lives this year for about what you pay for the daily newspaper! Think about that.

 

I became involved two years ago, when I was invited to lecture on "Nutrition for Health" at the Yanbian University of Science and Technology (YUST) in Yanji, China, near North Korean border. Since 2003, this university has gathered hungry children and housed and fed them-gave them a chance a future, in short. With them, I help procure food in China and made weekly delivers by trucks to those hungry children in Rajin City, North Korea-with no overhead costs!

 

In another border city, a once-rich potato production area is now completely isolated without food and fuel. YUST received a desperate plea to help some 10,000 starving children, who simply will not survive another harsh cold winter unless without immediate help. You can save these children with a donation of only 30 cents per child per day. That is all it takes. I am thrilled to report that to date, we have managed to raise $8,000 and $30,000 in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Thanks to all of the donnors who helped to make Feed NK Children project possible. Please know that you have been a part of something that is making a direct impact on the lives of the most vulnerable and helpless children in North Korea. Not only are they given food, keep them alive, but many of them are given a chance to recover from almost near-death malnutrition to a normal status for development as long as their bellies are filled with foods.

 

The Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona has adopted "Feed NK Children" as its international project. Please help by sending your cheques made payable to "Rotary Project of Feed NK Children" to the Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona, 8310 Roper Rd. N.W., Edmonton, AB T6E 6E3. OR  you may send checks endorsing Jeong Sim's NK Children project to, NEAFoundation-Canada (North East Asia Foundation), 67 Scarsdale Rd, North York, Ontario M3B 2R2 (1-647-999-9160).

 

If you need further information, please call Jeong S. Sim, International Services Director  E-mail: jssim@ualberta.ca , Phone: 780-434-3053,: 780-994-1343 (HP)

 

Children are counting on you.

"Rotating Wheel Dinner"
by Granholm, Hans
Our president will hand over the gavel at the "Rotating Wheel Meeting" to be held at the Mayfair Golf and Country Club.

Please note that due to other activities at the Mayfair on the Tuesday, we are moving our event to Wednesday.

This is our principal social event of the year and a must for all members, new and seasoned.

President Peter will tell us what the club has accomplished this past year and Ted Griffiths will indicate our direction for next year.

It has become a tradition that we invite the current and future District Governor and we are delighted that DG David Taylor and Elaine will attend with DGE Ross Tyson and Brenda.

News From Heidi
by Heidi Rantala

TIP: Click on image to enlarge.

Dear Strathcona Rotary club,

It has been a while since I contacted you the last time. Despite the break, I have been reading the club e-newsletter frequently and keeping my self updated on how you are continuing your great work in the Rotary organization. There are also plenty of new members, who I haven't had the chance to meet yet. For those, who I haven't been introduced to: My name is Heidi, 24 years old, and I was the club's exchange student from Finland during the year 2000-2001.



I came back to Edmonton couple of years after my exchange (2004 or was it 2005?) and now it is time for me to come back again. As you might have heard from Les Reynolds or Peter Stoye, I got married last summer and had a great honour to have Peter with his family and Les attend the celebrations here in Finland. With our greatest surprise, Les and his wife wanted to give us something unique for a wedding present and here we are, almost on our way to EDMONTON!

My husband Mikko and I will be arriving in Edmonton on July 19th and our flight back leaves on August 9th. During those days I will want to show all the best of Edmonton/area to Mikko, who has never been to Canada. With this, I would need your help.

In case you know that something is happening during those days in Edmonton that would be interesting for us to see, please let us know and suggest things for example by e-mail. Rodeo for one thing would be a great experience for Mikko (Diana Parker took me to a Rodeo show, and it was an unbelievable experience for a Finn...). To the Rockies we will be going for sure.

And I hope I won't even have to say how much we would like to visit some of you, so please let me know in case we could experience some of that edmontonian and rotarian hospitality that I experienced during my exchange and the last visit.

Just a quick update on my life before ending this mail. I currently work in a Radio called SUN. I also host many events, mostly cosmetic campaigns, shopping mall theme days, concerts etc. Between all this I study speech communication and voice in the University of Tampere and I am planning on graduating next spring. Mikko has spent plenty of time in Southern France working as a consultant/specialist in a helicopter project for the Finnish air forces.

Hope to update more news this coming summer and also to hear from you soon!

Yours,
Heidi Kahra (former Rantala)
(and Mikko)

heidi.kahra@hotmail.com
RYPEN - Camp Warwa 2008
by Granholm, Hans
Rotary Youth Program of ENrichment is designed for youth who, on January 1, 2008, was at least 15 years old but less than 19, and is in grade 10, 11 or 12.

The camp program is designed for self-development, encouraging young people to form their own values and moral standards, to broaden their horizons culturally and socially and to help them acheive there potential both as leaders and team members through both outdoor activities and through group discussions.

The camp caters to the person who shows qualities of courage, perseverance and steadfastness in everyday life. It is not designed for the academic student nor for youth who are recognized by their disruptive or criminal behaviour.

The RYPEN (South) program is organized by LaVerne Quennell and our club liaison is Bruce Flesher.

LINK TO DISTRICT EVENT PAGES

RYLA - "Seeking Your Peak!" 2008
by Granholm, Hans

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is part of Rotary's ongoing commitment to supporting youth.

Club RYLA liaison: Bruce Flesher

LINK TO DISTRICT RYLA PAGE



Awards are based not only on academic standing but on demonstrated contribution and leadership benefiting the community, school, or other organizations.

RYLA winners attend an annually organized conference where they spend close to four days in intensive interaction with other award winners, session leaders, speakers from businesses, the professions, the arts, or simply with remarkable individuals who have had unique experiences which provide insight into the broadest meaning of what it is to be a leader.

Is it in you?
by Hans Granholm
View the story on the District WebComCentre

Donate! 

Canadian Blood Services needs our help at its permanent donor clinic (8249-114 Street)

All eligible donors are encouraged to take an hour or so out of their schedule to save the lives of others.
Not sure if you can donate? Why not make an appointment and find out. Call 1-888-2 DONATE (236-6283

Harald Kuckertz
by Hans Granholm


You are welcome to visit Harald, but phone him first, 780-464-5309. He is anxious to come to a meeting, but I told him to slow down and concentrate on getting his strength back.


Yours in Rotary.

Hans Granholm
p: 780-466-5566
e: hgrdane@telusplanet.net

Web Site Advertising
by Hans Granholm

>>> PLEASE LOOK AT THIS ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY <<<

With the number of members in this club either owning or operating a business, we are getting a very poor interest in this nice little generator of funds for the club.
Are the rates too steep? I don't think so, but if you do, please let us know.
If you have any bright ideas on how to promote this little initiative, please speak up.




A web site and bulletin advertising feature is available to dedicated members who wish to sponsor an ad and support the club's endeavors.

It is an opportunity to go out in the community and solicit ads from businesses, and who knows, in the process of soliciting ads you may also find prospective new Rotarians.

Be sure to visit these sponsors by clicking on their ad

The fee is for members $20.00 for one month or $50.00 for three months or $150.00 for one year.
 
For non-members $30.00 per month or $70.00 for a quarter or $250.00 for one year.


The ad can be text or a logo. Either way it becomes a link and upon clicking will take the visitor to the sponsor's website or e-mail address.

Please have a look at the complimentary ads in the right column of any site pages and in the left column of the e-Strathconian.

NOTE: You will notice a link in the bottom of the right column of a site page "Interested in being a Website Sponsor?". This link opens a page with all the information.

Feedback and comments are very much appreciated. You can post comments on the FORUMS | CLUB WEB SITE | ADVERTISING. Or you can e-mail you-know-who.

Cheers!

Edmonton Strathcona Guestbook
by Hans Granholm
NEW GUESTBOOK

Don't forget to encourage the use of our new GUESTBOOK

Do not forget we also have a FORUM where members can post their views and ideas on a variety of subjects. NOTE: You have to log in to access the private Forum.

Why not visit yourself and let's benefit from your feedback...
Planning a Vacation?
by Graham Gilchrist

Lets go to a Rotary Convention......

2008                   Los Angeles
2009                   Birmingham, England
2010                   Montreal
2011                   New Orleans

TIP about where
by Hans Granholm
When Stories disappear from the front page and the bulletin layout, they don't disappear completely.
You can always click on the STORIES tab in the menu bar in the top banner.

Items will remain there for a reasonable period of time (still to be determined), but even after they disappear there, they can still be retrieved by contacting your website administrator.

Hans Granholm
e-mail
Privacy Policy
by Hans Granholm
Privacy laws were recently implemented in Canada...

The District Privacy Policy is listed on the WebComCentre, front page story or on our front page at the bottom of DOWNLOADS.
Birthday Calendar
by Hans Granholm
A members Birthday and Anniversary calendar has been added in the News area under "Mark Your Calendars"

...Just hit the link and the current month appears.
How secure is all this data?
by Hans Granholm
No need to worry. ClubRunner secures all your private information using the latest security technologies.

Private information is secured using 128-bit encryption, and all access requires unique logins and passwords. Access to information is also restricted, for example, a member can only see a list of membership in his or her club, and his or her own personal information.

Data on the server is protected by TCP/IP filtering, firewall and anti-virus software that protect against any unauthorized intrusion. Backups of data are made daily and stored off-site.

Your information is kept private; to review ClubRunner's Privacy Policy, visit www.clubrunner.ca.