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Editor: Bob Kyle
President Stan welcomed us to the New year in our “favorite” Fairbanks Ballroom at the Sheraton West. Jay Arnett got us in the proper mood for the meeting and the year ahead with his well-focused inspirational thoughts. Song leader Tom Blair, accompanied by Joe Zakowski, declared our rendition of “America the Beautiful” was “perfect.” Janie Davis capped the news with this diet advice, “If it tastes good, spit it out.” President Stan welcomed John T. Capps, Past District Governor from the one-stoplight town of Morehead, NC. He was noted to have a Rotary Wheel tattooed on his very bald head and that’s dedication! Joyce Glazer introduced new member Major Linda Markiewicz of the Salvation Army who personifies a lifetime of service. Chuck Pretto, noting that Camp Enterprise is scheduled for March 26, asked that Legacies get signed up promptly and stressed the need for experienced facilitators, particularly females.
Joyce Glazer returned to the podium to give advance notice of the special Jan. 22nd Musical Program that will feature some of our most talented members and special musical guests. On Feb. 10th, Club 33 will host the District Council meeting. President Stan said that a slideless Pat Crowell will give a presentation on “The History of Rotary in San Diego” and he expects us to provide many attendees. The “fine” machine rolled into high gear: Chris Sichel for providing literature on two Make A Wish Foundation events, Tom Gable for his recognition by the Public Relations Society of America, Jack Berkman for orchestrating an excellent article on Rotary in the Daily Transcript which, unfortunately, fell “below the fold”, President Stan (who fined himself) because he was featured in that same article, and Dick Green who - can you believe this - got a hole in one.
Chair of the Day Bert Wahlen moderated the 19th edition of the Club’s always popular “Economic Forecast”. He was pleased that both well-known financial advisors, Bill Holland and Linda Stirling, were still willing to return for this year’s program after last year’s market performance. Linda highlighted the woes of 2008 including default credit swaps, the sub-prime mortgage mess and record volatility. None-the-less, she sees opportunity in companies with strong cash flow, low debt ratios and solid dividend programs. Bill Holland, forever the optimist, acknowledged the need for better regulation in segments of the financial markets. $3 trillion is waiting on the sidelines. Holland defended the need for TARP “to put the fire out” and feels that the government will eventually make money on the deal.
The moment of truth arrived when Bert, noting that the Dow ended 2008 at 8752, asked each for the yearend 2009 predictions and two stock picks for the year ahead. Bill had called for 14,000 at yearend 2008 and is looking for 10,000 at yearend 2009. He picks Bristol Meyer and Adobe for 2009. Linda, whose associate called for 15,000 at yearend 2008, is predicting 10,500 at yearend 2009. She likes Qualcomm and Genworth. Bert added that he called former panelist and perennial pessimist Don Bauder in Colorado who went for 9500, Johnson & Johnson and Royal Dutch. Bert closed the session by noting that “one who predicts there is a 50/50 chance of something going wrong will find that 9 out of ten times it happens.”
President announced the sad news that Bob Cleator, Sr. passed away earlier this week. As President Stan rang the bell, the room quickly cleared so the members could call their brokers.
Photos by Paul Nestor
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