Weather or Not
Jose Garcia, of the Amarillo National Weather Service
(NWS), opened our eyes to the various services provided by this important
agency of the Federal Government. A former Eagle Scout and graduate of UT and
A&M, Mr. Garcia has worked for more than twenty years with the NWS, serving
in Albuquerque, Washington, DC and College Station.
The NWS was formed in the 1870s
as a branch of the Army Signal Corps, later becoming an agency of the Department
of Commerce. Amarillo's office opened in 1892 and now represents one of 122
such offices employing 4600 people nationwide, 22 of them in our community. With
a mission to "protect life and property" the NWS provides round-the-clock
information about weather and climate that helps people make both everyday and
life or death decisions about travel, transportation, criminal justice and the
economy.
Mr. Garcia was proud to report
that the NWS maintains an 84% customer satisfaction rating, placing it above
both private (74%) and federal (67%) programs. With a cost of $4.00/person/year
the NWS is as cost-effective as it is vital in our community. However, should
the sequestration go into effect in Washington on March 1, 5% of the NWS budget
would be cut.
Cal Harriman introduced Jun Young Song, leader of the five-person Rotary GSE team from
South Korea visiting Amarillo. Each member of the delegation took the
microphone to tell us about themselves and their visit to America. Mr. Song and
Karen Hicks exchanged Rotary banners
as a symbol of our international fellowship.
Karen reminded us that the Tickets for the Hawaiian Cruise should be filled our or sold and stubs returned to Gina as soon as possible. (As members of this club, we receive 10 entries each year, paid as part of our dues. Members are, however, at liberty to sell their tickets.) The winning ticket will be drawn at the District Conference on May 2. The winner will receive a cabin for 2 on a 7 day Hawaiian Cruise from August 3-10, 2013.
Instead of a noon meeting on March
14th, we will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with dinner at the Big
Texan. There is no charge for Rotarians and guests will be charged $16.28 each.
Mark your calendars for this great upcoming party! Please RSVP to Gina if you
are attending.
We welcomed two new members into the club today, Mark Blankenship, the Executive
Director of Llano Cemetery who was introduced by J. B. Lane, and Rick Matchett, GM of the Amarillo Bulls professional ice
hockey team, introduced by Paul Borchardt.
No one selected the Ace of Spades in the Rotary Club drawing, which now has reached the sum of $2,443.00. The
winner will receive half of the pot with the remaining portion going to the
Rotary Foundation.
Thanks to those who helped run our meeting
today, including
Karen
Hicks, who past President who presided over the meeting
David
O'Dell, who led us in the national anthem and pledge of allegiance
David Walvoord, who offered the invocation
Bob
Russell, who introduced our visitors and guests
Basil
Walker, who sold foundation tickets
In district news, the first Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp
(RYLA) deadline is upon us. Campers who turn in their forms prior to March 15th will be charged a
fee of $450 for the camp. Any applicants who turn in their forms after that
date will incur a $500 fee.
This youth leadership program is intended to be a one-time only
experience for students entering or completing their Junior
year of high school. Camp will be held at Lone Tree Ranch in the beautiful
mountains of New Mexico from June 10th-June 14th. If you have recruited any participants, please advise
them of the deadlines and encourage them to visit the District 5730 website for
additional information or respective forms. Our own, John Early, is the Camp
RYLA guru and can also answer any questions that you may have in this regard.
Club Web Site
