Bulletins - 2006 - 12/06/2006

This Week's Bulletin Was Written By Mary Engles

THIS WEEK’S MEETING

Our first meeting of December was brought to order by President Carol Jensen. Mel Gallegos delivered an invocation inspired by Mother Teresa. Jonathon Stone led the pledge of allegiance.

GUESTS

Standing in for Pete Maguire, Jonathon introduced Rotarians visiting from Club 33: Berit Durler, Marc Tarasuck and Ted Kanatas. Joining us as visitors were Lura Lee, Lex Harrison, Efran Canejo, Sherry Adler, Karen Busey,and Jerrie Baker.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• President Jensen acknowledged the Rotarians who sponsored the recent jewelry party. She received a donation from Linda Jalving in gratitude for hosting the party.
• Gift bags were collected for the Project Responsibility children in Tijuana. We also received donations for over 20 bicycles for the children.
• Thank-you notes from the NROTC participants for inviting them to take part in our golf tournament. The Rescue Taskforce also thanked us assisting in putting together their service back packs.
• Holiday Party, Friday the 8th at the home of Tom Sayer, Scripps Ranch. Check the web site for directions.
• District Council Meeting ,Tuesday 12-12-06 at the La Jolla Marriott. Our club is hosting. Mel Gallegos will present a Power Point show highlighting our many wonderful and charitable activities throughout the year. Please come out to support Mel and your Club. Sign up and pay on the District web site.
• Karney Stefan and Sandra Scrift introduced the District Peace Project. February 2007 will be World Understanding month. Sandy & Karney are seeking nominations for a local hero to receive a peace maker award.
• Mel Gallegos and Lynn Hamilton announced that a matching grant will be awarded to our Zambia AIDS project: The Power of Love. Congratulations on your hard work Mel & Lynn.

THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

Arlene Wolinsky, Egyptologist and professor of history at Mesa College, assisted on laptop by her husband Thad, initiated us into the holiday season with the tale of a camping expedition in the White Desert of western Egypt! This most unusual area of vast sands is punctuated by huge obelisks of white calcium carbonate, caches of gilded mummies only discovered in 1996 and..the tiny pup tents of 15 inveterate adventurers. A real jeep caravan, piled with sleeping mattresses and a huge outdoor oven motored across the desert sands to reach several palm filled oases. Bahariya Oasis, 230 miles SW of Cairo, holds the largest burial site ever found in Egypt, estimated at 10,000 mummies, spanning 300 BCE to 300 CE.  Dr. Wolinksy’s slides featured landscape photos and shots of the facemasks adorning the mummies. These masks were often painted with gold or a beautiful portrait of the deceased. Jewelry, pottery and glass might also be included in the burial caves. Thank you Dr. Wolinsky for reminding us that we are just part of the fabulous human race that covers our diverse globe.