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May 27, 2008 No.
31 Vol. 86
This Week’s Program:
Robert J. Morris, Jr., Chief Circuit Court Judge
A quick search of the
internet turns up a number of news articles on our speaker today in
relation to the high profile cases he has heard, and, most recently, as
he commented on the courthouse gunman shooting earlier this month.
Born in Jacksonville,
Florida, Judge Morris was raised locally, graduating from Tarpon Springs
High, and in the Bahamas. He attended the University of Florida,
graduating with a B.S. in Journalism, and later received his Juris
Doctorate from the DePaul University College of Law, graduating in the
top quarter of his class.
A practicing lawyer for
seventeen years, Judge Morris served as Assistant State Attorney Sixth
Judicial Circuit, as a Partner at Foley & Lardner in Tampa and as a
principal of his own law firm.
Judge Morris was
appointed Pinellas County Judge in 1997 by Governor Lawton Chiles and
then to Circuit Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit by Governor Jeb Bush in
2001. He was reelected two both positions in 1998 and 2004 respectively
without opposition. Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara J.
Pariente appointed him Chair of the Supreme Court Steering Committee on
Families and Children in the Court (2004-2006). Florida Supreme Court
Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis appointed him to the Trial Court Budget
Commission (2006-2012). He was elected Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial
Circuit without opposition in 2007.
Judge Morris has served
on the Board of Directors of Beneficial Savings Bank in Tampa and at
Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital.
Last Week’s Program:
Sandra Pinto, Newscaster for Bay News 9 en Espanol
Kiwanian-of-the-Day
Markus Mittermayr introduced our charming speaker, Sandra Pinto,
reporter and “fill-in” anchor for Bay News 9. Typically, she provides
copy and reporting for the Spanish language version of the news, an
invaluable service to the roughly two million Spanish-speaking
households residing in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus and
Hernando counties, but occasionally anchors and delivers news in English
as well.
Of Colombian descent,
Ms. Pinto described a childhood growing up in Queens, NY, in a
close-knit, middle-class family culturally circumscribed by Hispanic
traditions and expectations. Explaining that her family worked hard to
ensure her future, she pursued her dream of becoming a reporter and left
all things familiar to take her first full-time job in Amarillo, Texas.
The culture shock was enormous. Nevertheless, she persevered, moving on
to San Antonio, a placement she liked better because of its beauty and
greater sophistication.
When Bay News 9 decided
to fill a growing niche and broadcast in Spanish, Sandra moved to Tampa
Bay. She sees her purpose as helping members of the Hispanic community
receive access to the news. Hispanics share a common language, but have
different concerns depending on their culture of origin, so she
researches and reports on stories of interest to a range of Latino
groups in addition to reporting the local and national news of the day.
Spanish networks are among the fastest growing, and Telemundo and
Univision continue to expand. Sandra sees the value in preserving the
Spanish language and cultural customs, but also recognizes the
importance of assimilation, including learning English. Her bilingualism
has shaped her character, perspective and job choice and she is proud of
the work she does on behalf of the growing Latino population that values
diversity and accessibility.
Guests and Visitors
An even four dozen
members attended Tuesday, with Ron Braun introducing us to his guest,
Brian Perdek from Bank of America. Welcome, Brian. Join us again and
fill out our “bank” of bankers!
What’s Happening?
Jim Leavitt Program
Membership Drive
The Membership
Committee has planned a special membership drive for our Jim Leavitt
program on June 24th. We have Division 13 and Kiwanis Florida
goals for membership that require that each of us make an effort to
build our numbers and increase our impact in our communities. Start
talking to business contacts, friends and other people you come into
contact with you think might enjoy being part of our great Club. Bring
at least one guest/potential member to the USF Bulls/Jim Leavitt meeting
and impress your guest(s)!
From Tag Hauer To
Tags Of The Fifty States – Alluring Auction Items Lend Elan To The Jim
Fischer Birthday Bash
Al Karnavicius
announced some of the exciting items that will be on the silent auction
tables at the 4th Annual Jim Fischer Birthday Bash on June 14th.
Several weekend getaways will be up for auction, Nick Gizzarelli brought
in a lady’s Tag Hauer watch “good to 600 feet” that is being donated by
Bruce Watters Jewelry and fifty license plates, one from each of the 50
states are being offered as a set for the chic-est in garage décor.
Let’s make this year’s scholarship fundraiser a record-breaking one. The
more auction items we collect, the more funds we can raise. Help us give
a gift of scholarship – and a future – to deserving students in our
community. How can you help? 1) Bring a donated item or service to Al or
John by June 3rd. 2) Attend the Birthday Bash on June 14th.
3) Encourage people to bid on items and bid on some yourself.
Pahk The Cah In
Hahvahd Yahd
Kiwanians are needed to
direct parking for the All Children’s Telethon May 31 and June 1st.
The parking situation has changed from years past and is more remote
(though not as far as Cambridge), so parking volunteers play a vital
role in the success of the two day event. Please let Bob Piplitz know if
you can help out.
Doorways Recipients
Describe Dreams and Progress
Bob Byelick treated us
again to a selection of inspiring and entertaining letters from the
middleschoolers who received conditional awards of college scholarships
through the Doorways program. We urge them to hold fast to their dreams
and keep their eyes on the prize!
Kiwanis News From
Ukraine
President Markus passed
along news from Lora Pavlenko, president of the Kiwanis Club in Ukraine.
Some highlights follow:
“We have now begun
prepares for programs for summer.
1. We have plan to make
camp for 20 teenagers in June. For this purpose we shall use the house
which we shall rent. The house is located near the Kiev.
2. We shall make
special programs on the territory of children's homes, one week. We
shall bring meal, to play with children, picnics, to go with children to
the river.
3. Also we want to make
a picnic for homeless children.
4. We want to go to the
West part of Ukraine, to take out 20 teenagers and spend one week at
mountains.
Our Kiwanis club and
volunteers assist us with these programs.
If you can tell about
our projects to friends and they can support us by the finance we shall
are very grateful.”
TODAY’S QUIZ:
1.
The former name of the country of Jordan was what?
2.
Chandler’s Wobble refers to an irregularity in the movement
of what? A Frisbee, the earth, a rocket, Saturn.
3.
Which of the following is NOT the name of a rock band: Mazzy
Star, Death Cab for Cutie, Chicken On A Chain, Massive Attack?
4.
Hank Aaron broke which baseball legend’s batting record?
5.
“Laying pipe” is a term in which outdoor sport?
LAST WEEK’S
QUIZ:
1.
Echolalia
is the repetition of vocalizations made by another person.
Echolalia
is present in autism, Tourette syndrome, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome,
developmental disability, schizophrenia and, occasionally, other forms
of psychopathology.
2.
The John Lennon song that was called by the media “the
national anthem of the antiwar movement” is “Give Peace A Chance.”
3.
Although typically only the first verse is sung, ”The Star
Spangled Banner” has three verses.
4.
A quahog is a clam, so you would do eat it.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
May you
trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love
that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of
you.
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