Motah Foundation, Inc. is Lee’s way of giving scholarships to Motah’d Kids. She is currently awaiting 501c3 status.

Lee was able to form Motah thanks to 12 years of experience as a television news anchor. She served as weekday anchor for KABB-TV (Fox News in San Antonio). She won more than a dozen communication related awards including the Edna McGaffey Media Excellence Award from the Association for Women in Communications, the La Prensa Foundation Media Award, the Associated Press award winner for "Best News Series" and "Best Broadcast News Personality" by The San Antonio Media Alliance chapter of American Women in Radio & Television.

Lee recently reigned as Fiesta Royalty’s “Queen of the Vine” after she successfully raised a record $38,000 for Brighton School. She is a 10 year member of the Junior League of San Antonio and a 9 year kickboxing instructor at Spectrum Clubs.

The first Charter School started in 1991 in Minnesota with the hopes to be laboratories for innovation. Mark Larson is the Chief Executive Officer of KIPP Aspire Academy here in San Antonio. He provided us with a understanding and history of Charter Schools and the children they serve.

Charter Schools are public schools that run on state and federal tax dollars. They receive about .80 cents on the dollar. The funding is not equitable with the public schools. San Antonio is the second largest and fastest growing population in the U.S. We also have the highest dropout rate. Out of those who drop out, half are unemployed and 8% will go to jail.

The Academy’s reason for being is to have everyone that walks through the doors to go to college.

The Academy has been highlighted by Texas Monthly Magazine as one of the top public schools in Texas.

Aspire Academy provides a safe, family environment where every teacher, student, and parent is dedicated to help each student succeed. We all commit together to think, work, and behave in the best way we know how and do whatever it takes for all students to learn We believe that many people in a child’s life have an important role to play in the education of the child. With that in mind, we ask the parents, the child, and each person at the school to sign a commitment to the schedule and to do their part to ensure that the child receives the best education possible.

Students are in school longer hours during the week, two Saturdays a month, and three weeks during the summer. The curriculum is rigorous and includes at least 1 hour of homework every day. All students participate in field lessons and have the opportunity to earn an end-of-year, week-long trip out of state.

This schedule is designed to increase time spent teaching and learning so that all students experience success in a rigorous curriculum and are prepared to attend top quality high schools and colleges. In this schedule, students spend 2 hours working on reading and language arts and almost an hour and a half in both math and science. This commitment and focus on building the knowledge and skills of each student enables all students to accelerate much faster in their learning.

All students participate in P.E. or Music each day and have an opportunity to participate in other extracurricular classes during Saturday School in the spring, such as basketball, creative writing, chess, soccer, martial arts, cooking, camping, trip planning, and cheerleading.

In 7th and 8th grades, when students have demonstrated academic success in their classes, they have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities in 7th and 8th grades such as soccer, choir, orchestra, basketball, student government, and many more.

Teachers are exceptional, innovative, rigorous, and effective educators, committed to every student learning and making no excuses about a student's educational history or demographic background. Every teacher has a cell phone and is available for help with homework in the evenings.

KIPP Aspire Academy has been making an impact as a result of its philosophy, discipline, and tremendous results.

The World’s Greatest Optimist Club had the distinct pleasure of honoring Officer Robert Moreno as San Antonio Police Officer of the Year. Officer Moreno is a native of San Antonio. He is married to Dee Moreno and has six children. His parents are Victor and Anjelita Moreno.

Officer Moreno joined the San Antonio Police Department in 1979. He was assigned to the Patrol Division from 1979 to 1875, He was a Police Academy Instructor from 1985 to 2001, and is in the Patrol Division from 2001 to the present.

Recently, Officer Moreno was issued a Merit which cited his excellent work ethic and job knowledge. The Merit detailed Robert’s use of valuable information as it pertains to criminal activity in his area. He unselfishly continues to pass on information to other units such as TOP and TRU, which in turn have lead to many high profile arrests.

Officer Moreno is an expert in Physical Fitness. He has been responsible for training hundreds of San Antonio Police Officers. He has taught hand to hand combat, asp baton training, riot control training, firearms, and weapons retention. Officer Moreno is an 8th degree black belt in the art of Tang Soc Do and Tae Kwon Do. Robert continues to train officers in the field of martial arts through his mixed martial arts studio “Blue Tiger Martial Arts” where he is owner and operator.

Jeryl Hoover, the Mayor of Fredericksburg was our guest speaker. Jeryl congratulated the club on their enthusiasm in reciting the pledge to the flag. Jeryl Hoover is a performer, musician, writer, composer, avid reader, blogger, husband, and father, and father-in-law. Born and raised in Odessa, TX. He earned a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Voice Performance from West Texas State University. He has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Texas Permian Basin, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth.

He served four churches from 1981 to 1996, primarily in Austin. Dr. Hoover and his family moved to Fredericksburg in 1996 to seek a slower pace of life and to provide a safer and more congenial place for their sons to finish growing up. He founded and is now the President of the Board of the Fredericksburg Theater Company, a locally funded organization that produces 6 productions of theater classics per year. FTC is now in its 12th season. Jeryl was elected Mayor of Fredericksburg in 2006, and again in 2008, currently in the middle of his second term. He is married to Ruthann, an Instructor of Nursing with Austin Community College, and they have three grown sons and one daughter-in-law.

Jeryl told a story from his youth of his experience in winning the local Optimist Club of Odessa’s Oratorical Contest. He gave us his first hand experience and a very entertaining story of his highs and lows of his experience in going on to the regional competition and his speech on Patriotism

Navarra Williams has been with SAMMinistries for the last 22 months. SAMMinistries helps those who are homeless or on the verge of being homeless. 31% served are families with children. 21% of men are employed but do not make enough money to support their families and survive. Many people become homeless because they missed work to find the resources to help them not become homeless. The transitional facilities on Blanco has facilities to house 40 families. This facility has training to help them with social skills, work, anger management etc. These families must save 30% of their income and work on paying off any debt. After going through the training the program helps them find housing and employment.

Currently the program can care for 350 people per night. With the opening of Haven for Hope they will be able to care for up to 810 people per night. Bill Greehey his the chairman of Haven for Hope. Haven for Hope is a 100 million dollar facility that will care for, train, house, and transition the homeless. They want to provide an environment where the people will be able to learn and be able to leave, but not become too comfortable with. The Haven for Hope should open the first quarter of 2010.

Currently fundraising for SAMMinistries is level to the last few years. There is a rapid rehousing stimulus available to the city of 5.9 million which will help with the Haven for Hope and its Center for Health Care System.

Travis E. Poling covered the San Antonio business community for 20 years as a newspaper journalist with a particular focus on the health care industry. The Texas Lutheran University graduate has written about nearly every industry, interviewed everyone from the ultra wealthy and powerful to the those eking out a living amid two recessions and an economic boom.

Our guest speaker was El Rey Feo Charlie Garza and his court including Larry Kurth, Prime Minister, Bob Carlson Military Minister, Danny Ingle and Andy Garza, Advance Minister’s. The El Rey Feo Court consists of 25 people in all, including Transportation Minister’s, Royal Drivers, Day Minister’s, Night Minister’s, and Minister’s of Education.

The Story dates back to Spanish medieval times, during which the King of Spain had distanced himself from his subjects choosing to fill his court with only the beautiful, rich, and aristocratic. The ordinary citizen was never invited to the palace and rarely saw the monarch except when he rode to the countryside to hunt. The common people resented the king for this, and one day a rebellious crowd gathered in the plaza and proclaimed one of their own as "The Ugly King" or The People's King. This celebration of the populace traveled to the New World, and it was in Agues Calientes, Mexico during La Feria De San Marcos (The Festival of St. Mark) when the first Rey Feo ruled in North America.

Later, in 1947, members of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council No. 2 in San Antonio, Texas were looking for a way to raise money to provide scholarships for underprivileged and deserving San Antonio youth. With their knowledge of La Feria de San Marcos, The LULAC members decided that sponsoring a Rey Feo Competition of their own would not only be fun, but charitable as well. This contest started in 1947 at a penny a vote. Later, through the efforts of Logan Stewart, Rey Feo XXXII, A local prominent radio personality, El Rey Feo was formally invited to be part of Fiesta in 1980 and was given his own parade called Paseo De Rey Feo. The Parade was an integral part of Fiesta from 1980- 1987.

Now, Rey Feo merits Royalty status and is invited along with the other Fiesta Royalty, including the LULAC Feria De Las Flores Queen who also raises scholarship funds, to ride in all of the four major Fiesta parades as part of the spectacular annual, 10-day Fiesta festival held every year in April, in honor of the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of the San Jacinto. Now El Rey Feo must raise at least $150,000 in scholarship money. Charlie and his court have raised over $600,000 this year in scholarship funds.

Cheryl Jones is the President of Simply the Best. Simply The Best has one goal, to restore emotion and environment that create good work.

Cheryl strongly believes in Mastermind Groups. A Mastermind group is a group of individuals who come together and are all about you, but you are all about everyone else in the group. It is a place where you can throw out ideas and have feedback. It is a group where you go for advise in your area of expertise. This type of group helps us to continue to grow individually and professionally. Cheryl says, “ More minds are better than one”. If you are interested in starting a Mastermind group start with the end in mind. Get a group together , set some objectives and start brainstorming.

Cheryl works as a consultant, give her a call to get a group started (210) 545-2378

Jennifer Pena who is the Marketing Representative for the Visiting Physicians Association introduced the club to old fashioned house calls. Visiting Physicians Association is a medical practice composed of physicians specializing in the treatment of patients in their home. The Visiting Physicians Association provides many services including primary care,  episodic care, home care consultations, medication management visits, dementia assessments, and medical equipment authorization. Visiting Physicians Association also offers the following “In House” testing and studies: Holter monitor, Echocardiogram, Doppler, Ultrasound, Pulmonary Function, Laboratory and XRay. These services have proven to help keep patients healthier in their home and to reduce unnecessary emergency room and hospital visits.

Most Doctors are retired from their practices. The Doctors can only charge what Medicare allows. The Association sees about ten patients per day and two new patients per day. Currently they serve the area inside 1604. Jennifer said, “if we are not serving a particular area, bring us 9 patients and we will travel.” House calls are easy to schedule, give the Visiting Physicians a call today at (210) 733-5072

SPREAD THE WORD!

Mario Ortiz, District Director for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was our guest speaker. Mario said that there is always a big immigration debate - Are you concerned about immigration? The INS is part of Homeland Security. Everyday in our country about 3500 people get their green cards and 3000 become U. S. Citizens.

It is a great honor to go through the process of becoming a Citizen of the United States of America. He encourages that we tell the stories of immigration and listen to these stories, because these are stories of great faith. Over 40,000 young men and women have been naturalized as U. S. Citizens entering the U. S. Armed forces over the last few months. These young men and women enter the United States as citizens and lay down their lives for our great nation. It was the honor of the Optimist Club Of San Antonio to celebrate as Specialist Maria Lopez was sworn in as a U. S. Naturalized Citizen. We watched as she took the Oath of Allegiance below with full emotion and sincerity.

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

Our guest speaker Rachel Valadez opened her story by singing the song sung at her son’s memorial “In Heaven’s Eyes” Rachel said, “It is said that a Mother holds her child’s hand for a little while, but their heart forever!”

Her story was about Crime, conflict, faith, and restitution. She began by defining each. Crime: Its very definition means that a wrong has been committed, an offense to someone, and regardless if it’s personal or not, it still touches “someone,” and it’s not right. If anyone has been touched by crime, directly or indirectly, it changes you. It changes your thoughts on how you look at things, what you appreciate, more, or less, what you come to dislike or hate, it changes how you do things and what you think about people, places and God.

Conflict: is a “mental struggle” from an opposing need.

After a crime has been committed you realize that perhaps wishes and dreams may not happen. You realize that you have the great responsibility to “decide” if you will be able to go on, let alone face it all! Will you start allowing yourself to hide in a cocoon, speak out and scream or finally know that you must forgive? Because, without forgiveness you succumb, to the very thing that offended you.

Faith: (from a Christian perspective) “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)”; or “Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.”

Restitution: An act of restoring or a condition of being restored. Can this be possible, and how? Forgiveness.

This is how Rachel’s journey which began on Feb. 17, 1995.

“I heard a mom once say after the passing of her son that “…there are always, blessings, never sorrows…”. I no longer want to be a victim of anything. There is so little time in life, when you really think about it. I no longer want to waste any of it. Sometimes I forget and I get caught up in all the “little stuff,” like schedules, and chore lists and meetings and appointments.

Then I need to step back, take a breath and slow myself down. Then, and only then, can I begin to hear the new rhythms of whoever I am becoming. I am forever changed because someone touched my life. I want to remember that-always!

The lessons of our losses cannot be ignored nor negated. They simply are too expensive. I no longer want to count what I have lost. I want to acknowledge the blessings of the “Springs” that I did spend with my loved one. I do not want to cloud the joy of our life together with a long list that I didn’t say things I didn’t do, things I didn’t mean.

The line between the living and the dead is so thin that it is not visible, but it separates those who are moving forward and those who are standing still in grief and regret. I will no longer live my life so that I am building up a bank of regrets that will have to be paid at the end of a loved one’s life.

The time to settle the argument is now. The time to give a hug, a kiss, a handshake, and an encouragement is now. The time is now, and now I want to take the time, funny how that works. When you have too little time, it seems an impossible task to grab more. When you have too much, it seems an impossible task to spend it. The time to live is now.

Someone you knew, liked or loved has died. You did not. Whatever the reasons for this turn of events, you have the opportunity to change your life to better reflect your dreams, passions and ambitions. Take a look at who you are, what you are doing, why you are doing it and begin to make the changes you want in order to live the life you want to be living instead of the one you are enduring.

If you still love your work or your home or your daily life, take renewed pleasure in the small moments that make up a single day. If you are not happy with your life, your home, your job, begin to work toward finding something that makes your spirit soar! Life is simply too precious to waste in wishing it were something else.

Rachel Valadez

Mark Stoeltje and Jeffrey Brown from Our House San Antonio gave us information on the Clubhouse Way. Our House San Antonio is believes that recovery from mental illness is achieved by establishing a safe place to build meaningful relationships and discover rewarding work. The community believes in respect, empathy, hope, and the right to access the same world of opportunity as the rest of society. They do not focus on the individuals illness, but on their strengths as an individual. Each individual is accepted unconditionally when they come to the Club House. Within the Club House the work and environment cannot operate without each other. The clubhouse philosophy, centered on the work-ordered day, has a powerful emphasis on equality, self-respect, identity, empowerment and acceptance. Members have the opportunity to participate in various work activities, such as cooking, office work, education and career development. This work-ordered day is structured so that it is engaging and motivating by its very nature. Members who are able also have the opportunity to move into transitional, supported, and independent employment positions in the community. This program works because it was developed by mental illness patients. There are no doors in the facility to encourage interaction with the staff. Once you are a member you are always a member. To become a member an individual must be diagnosed by a physiatrist and must be in stable condition. Anyone is welcome ages 18 and up. The members enjoy opportunities and programs available to them at the Club House. Currently the Club House is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Currently they serve about 100 members. The San Antonio Clubhouse is a privately funded at this time.

While traveling on his first cross-country bicycle trip down the Pacific Coast, Rich Trimble had an epiphany. When it comes to bicycling, Rich considers himself to be an average guy on an ordinary bike. He expected he could complete his goal to bicycle from Canada to Mexico if he just went slow enough and didn't give up, and he did. Somewhat to his surprise he found that his journey attracted considerable interest, even though there are numerous cross-country bicyclists completing similar trips longer and faster than his. He realized that even if slow, the accomplishment itself draws attention which he could leverage for a cause; to pass along basic tools for resolving conflict he has gleaned through his experience as a mediator and facilitator. This led Rich to set the audacious goal of continuing his trip around the entire continental United States over the next two years. Along the way he delivers entertaining stories of his adventures, a motivational message that "ordinary people" can accomplish great things simply by "sticking with it" and invaluable tools for helping people better resolve conflict in their lives. Rich’s basic tools for resolving conflict are:

Prepare Yourself

1) Take a break, to relax, reflect and organize your thinking.

2) Be optimistic - Find the opportunity in conflict.

3) Actively listen through focusing, paraphrasing and summarizing thoughts and feelings.

4) See the world through their eyes - Safely tuck away your own perspective for now.

Listen First

5) Be specific and brief when the conversation is tense.

6) Be open-minded and inquisitive when calmer and aggressively explore new options.

Judith Markelz is the Program Director for the Warrior And Family Support Center located on Fort Sam Houston. Five years ago she was asked to work 20 hours a week at the center, now she spends all her time there. The Warrior and Family Support Center provides coordinated services to patients, next-of-kin and extended Family members with a primary focus on Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Warriors. It provides a friendly, comfortable environment in which to take a break, watch a movie on big-screen TVs, play video games, check email or use the Internet, select a book or magazine to read, make a phone call or just grab a cup of  coffee. Wounded Warriors and their Family members visit the WFSC to maintain contact with other military members or extended Family members, to receive emotional support and answers to their questions, and to extend their rehabilitation away from the hospital. The rehabilitation involves learning to cope with war related disabilities as individuals, as couples, and as families. Due to the generosity of builders, contractors and donors The Warrior And Family Support Center opened its doors in a new 12,000 square foot community center in December 2008 worth $5 million dollars fully supported by civilian funds.

H. B. Zachry felt that the building was not enough so they are in the process of putting in a Healing Garden and amphitheater . The community has been very generous in donating food, tickets, entertainment, etc. San Antonio and Central Texas have been the most supportive of the military warriors. The center continues to do a lot for the wives and mothers whose lives will never be the same after their loved ones have been wounded.

The center helps wounded warriors and their families find life after their injuries. They serve the commander and chief with honor, Please continue to support them.

Barbara Goldman founder of TEAMability has degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Syracuse University and Teachers College, Columbia University. She is Certified in teaching students with severe and profound disabilities and students with visual impairments. Her desire in founding TEAMability is to bring the invisible children into the light of day in modern society. The children that they serve are children who have disabilities due to accidents, illness, and abuse. In a previous life, these children would not have survived.

At TEAMability parents bring their children with severe disabilities into the facility for a transdisciplinary assessment. With this assessment and the best therapists available to TEAMability they are able to help children with severe and profound disabilities move toward their environment.

Mike Kotara presented CPS Energy’s STEP Plan or Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan. The Key Principles include

• Energy Efficiency

• Supply Low cost Competitive Energy

• Increase Renewal Energy

• Maintain Environmental Commitment

Alan Weinkrantz spoke to the Optimist Club about building your personal brand. He pointed out that our new president very carefully branded himself online. We can carefully do the same by using social networks, blogging, journalism, self PR, photography, and videos. Working on your personal brand can help define who you are in your career as well as help others with similar interests find you. When creating your personal brand focus on the brand qualities that you want to portray. Allan used his personal qualities of: being an expert in PR/social media, focus on technology, connected in Israel, track record, has fun, worth it, good value, human/real. Alan says that if you are on the internet, you are branding yourself. Places that you can connect online are sites like facebook, twitter, and linkup. Start your personal brand by joining a few networks, determine what you want to communicate about yourself , make sure you have an up to date photo, if you are on social networks– make sure you have an up to date profile. Set some goals— new business, new job, better rankings on google, reinvent yourself during this economic situation, make life changes.

If you are online you are creating your own brand. So dedicate 15 minutes a day to create your brand, participate, share, and engage. Combine your personal branding skills with the role you play with the Optimist Club.

Dr. Dan Kirby from the Alamo Heights Pet Clinic was our guest speaker. Dr. Kirby has been in practice for 25 years and specializes in the care of small animals. He has equipped his clinic with the most modern and advanced diagnostic, anesthetic, surgical, and life maintenance equipment offered for complete veterinary medical and surgical care of your dog, cat, bird, or exotic pet. AHPC has achieved the high standards of the American Animal Hospital Association, qualifying it as an AAHA Hospital Member. The main goal of the clinic is to provide the most professional, up-to-date, quality medical care for your pet. The hospital technical staff is extensively trained to aid the doctors in the constant care and attention of your pet during routine examination and in emergencies. Dr. Kirby welcomes your questions about your pet on his weekly radio show on KTSA 550 AM every Sunday morning from 11:00 a.m. - 12 noon. Dr. Kirby said that he works hard so that he can spend his spare time going to Shumla, Texas on the Rio Grande River to search for artifacts in the caves.

Dr. Kirby said that dogs get many of the same problems that humans get.

The use of Vet Stem Regenerated Cells is becoming more widely used in the treatment of joints and hips. Dr. Kirby’s clinic is one of the few clinics in San Antonio offering this option for treating pets. What are Vet Stem Regenerated Cells? Vet Stem Regenerated Cells or VSRC’s are your pet's own natural healing cells that help regenerate injured tissues. Vet-Stem regenerative cells are derived from your pet's own fat. These cells are capable of differentiating into a variety of tissue types, including: tendon, ligament, bone, cartilage, smooth and cardiac muscle, liver, and others. Within 48 hours of collection, your pet's own regenerative stem cells are returned to your veterinarian for immediate use for your pet.

Private Investigator Robert Galloway said that he could be your best friend or your worst nightmare depending on which spouse calls first. Divorces are initiated about 50/50 by the husband or wife. Robert said that the thing that he dislikes the most is when someone is being taken advantage of who is unable to help themselves. Robert gave us a list of signs to look for if we suspect that a spouse is cheating.

Robert said that he got into this business by the grace of God. He went into the Seminary to become a minister, but the church that he was a member of would not ordain him since he had been divorced. A good friend suggested that he look into becoming a Private Investigator , he felt that it fit his personality. Being a Private Investigator and helping others has become his mission in life.

Lance Hoppes, Vice President for MOST – Motivate our Students Texas was our guest speaker. Lance and his wife Robin are working the new program founded by Dr. Eli Whitney. Lance first meet Dr. Whitney after having a heart attack back in April. When he went to see Dr. Whitney about his heart, Dr. Whitney went into this story about changing the world starting in San Antonio, one youth at a time. He said that the children in America are not broken and never have been. It is the parent that is broken. Our children have no value surrendered to them. After leaving Dr. Whitney’s office Lance, was encouraged with his own mission for youth, but he knew nothing about what was wrong with his heart. After talking with his wife they decided to call Dr. Whitney back to find out more about his heart. Dr. Whitney said his heart was fine gave him some pills and went on about his mission for youth. Thus began Lance’s mission with MOST.

Lance said that he had no mission when he was in school. He enjoyed partying, at that time no drugs were involved. He was running boot leg. He had been in and out of jail 3 times before he was out of High School. As He stood before the judge, he was given one last option. He could go to the Indiana State prison or he could enlist in the US Army and never return to his county. His father by his side, pale as a ghost said send him to the Army. He enlisted and a sergeant took interest in him. This sergeant took interest in him and helped him find direction and purpose in his life.

Anyone who would like to spend time working with our students and help provide direction in the life of a youth is invited to help.

The State of the Club Address was presented by President Jeff Marsh. Members were presented with a copy of the budget for 2008/2009. Jeff addressed the budget, committees, and membership. Committee sign up sheets were placed on the tables. If you missed the sigh up sheet, please email Andrea with the committees that you would like to serve on.

Bob Polunsky said that he loved going to the movies when he was young and he loved the western. The western is the one and only “Home Grown” movie. The Great Train Robbery of 1903 established the western and turned the characters into stereotypes. The American Indian became the prototype of the bad guy. Historically the western focused on the white guy as the good guys which was a form of racism.

Later the western exploited the feminine aspect in movies like “Cimarron” Gene Autry brought music to the western to get the family audience. Then Roy Rogers and Dale Evans captivated the family audience. Later the Lone Ranger single handedly erased the villainous character of the American Indian by pairing up with Tonto.

The western served its purpose and time in history

Ron Graves our very own member and friend gave us a compelling speech on the adversities in life.

Just like the inside of a lemon, many adversities in life case bitterness and hate. Adversities come in many different forms such as loss of a job, divorce, death, health problems, etc… Adversity does not discriminate. Go out into the world with faith, have fun, and help others. You have a purpose in life, search for it and when you find it pursue it. Share your story and share your love with your family and friends. If the lemon is your life, take it and squeeze all the hate and bitterness out. Everyday, do something extra ordinary in your life. Ron remarked that the greatest thing in his life outside of his Christianity is being an Optimist. He advised to read the creed and live by it.

Judge Al Alonso, district judge in precinct 1 spoke to the Optimist Club on the importance of Drug Courts.

Two-thirds of all adult arrestees and over half of juvenile arrestees test positive for illicit drugs at arrest. The national recidivism rate for drug offenses is nearly 67%. Up to eighty percent of child abuse and neglect cases and nearly fifty percent of domestic violence cases are substance-abuse related.

Drug courts represent the combined efforts of justice and treatment professionals to actively intervene and break the cycle of substance abuse, addiction, crime, delinquency, and child maltreatment. These special dockets are given the responsibility to handle cases involving addicted citizens under the adult, juvenile, family, and tribal justice systems.

In this blending of justice, treatment, and social service systems, the drug court participant undergoes an intensive regimen of substance abuse treatment, case management, drug testing, supervision and monitoring, and immediate sanctions and incentives while reporting to regularly scheduled status hearings before a judge with expertise in the drug court model. In addition, drug courts increase the probability of participants’ success by providing ancillary services such as mental health treatment, trauma and family therapy, and job skills training.

Ramon Vasquez, Executive Director of the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions was our guest speaker.

Ramon was born in San Antonio and later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he worked as a gang specialist for Centro De La Comunidad Unida. This position allowed Ramon to share his expertise in gangs, gang violence an where he developed and implemented intervention projects amongst Latino Street gangs. In 1991 , he and his family moved back to San Antonio and he joined the Good Samaritan Center as Program Director for the Youth in Conflict Gang Program. He was instrumental in the establishment of a 5 year Peace Truce between 6 of San Antonio’s most notorious street gangs. In 1998 , he was appointed as Executive Director of the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions. This is a nonprofit organization located in the heart of the Westside of San Antonio. The group was originally formed with the mission of placing the ancestral remains back into the ground where they were originally found to honor their ancestral fathers. This was finally accomplished in 1999. Since that time the organization has decided to give back to the community by dedicating their work to preserving the wellness of the community. San Antonio has a large population of native Americans. Through a Rights of Passage program they teach young men to value family, education, provide positive attitudes and relationship skills through a Fatherhood program. Their mission is to work for the preservation and protection of the culture and traditions of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation and other indigenous people of the Spanish colonial missions in South Texas and northern Mexico through: education, community outreach, economic development, projects and legislative initiatives at the federal, state and local levels.

Paul Premack is a Certified Elder Law Attorney.

He earned his BA at UT Austin and his law degree at the University of Houston. Paul served as an officer and director of the Texas Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys from 2000 to 2005. He is the Author of “ The Senior Texas Legal Guide” and Paul has written a weekly legal column for the San Antonio Express-News for the past 17 years. His San Antonio law practice focuses on the legal needs of people in their retirement years. Previously estates in excess of 1 million dollars were subject to a 50% estate tax. This law was changed to increase the amount that is not taxable to an unlimited amount in 2010, but the law did not have a provision to continue past 2010. Thus 1 year after 2010 the law will revert to being the first 1 million is untaxed. The AB trust is considered a bypass trust that can protect monies above 1 million dollars from being taxed. Each member gives a portion of the estate to the trust and the spouse can be the owner of manager of the trust. The only drawback is that the last to die cannot specify where the money goes after death. If you have an estate below 1 million dollars there is no need for this type of trust. This is just one vehicle in basic planning issues that helps to solve problems that might arise for the individuals left behind.

Malcolm Beck was our guest speaker. As usual Malcolm gave a very interesting and educational lecture on bugs. Malcolm said that as a young child his family was extremely poor and he never owned a toy. As a child he studied bugs until he discovered girls. He then continued his study in adulthood. Malcolm says that it is very fascinating to learn why so many different types of creepy, crawly creatures were put here to aggravate us, help us, and offer beauty. Malcolm gave us a brief education on Texas beneficial insects that feed on troublesome insects, insects that are beneficial in the pollination of flowers, who break down organic matter, and perform many other less publicized duties. Malcolm says that nature is perfectly designed, and everything in it , even life and death of insects is designed for a purpose.

Malcolm has published several great books. To learn more about bugs, get his “Texas Bug Book, The Good , The Bad and the Ugly”.

Jim Keyes introduced our very own Jim Matson to the club saying that he has been a living inspiration to all of us for many years. Jim formed the Magnificent Living group over 11 years ago and has always been an advocate for women. Jim has served on the Board of Directors for many organizations. When asked if he would serve on the finance committee of one of the boards he served on he said “I can’t reconcile my own net income of my gross habits.”

Jim told the very inspiration and emotional story of his childhood during the great depression. His family lived in a very small yet supportive community. At the age of seven, Jim was found outside and unconscious. He was diagnosed with mumps. Jim spent much time in the hospital and missed a lot of the school year. He stated that he went from being a very active outdoor kid to being a frustrated shut in kid. During this time he spent hours daydreaming as his mother called it. He also spent a lot of his time reading and he would write things down and ponder them . He began asking questions like what really happened here and am I really defining the situation? His mother always said “do your best and never let anyone tell you what is enough. Just do your best.”

One year after Jim was afflicted with the mumps, his twin brother Jerry died from diphtheria. He recounted how all Jerry’s personal belongings, his clothing, school books, and even his big chief tablet were burned. Nothing was left but the memories. As they walked to burry his brother that day the people from the community lined the fence. He felt that they we such hateful people for standing there and starring at his family as they passed by and for burning all Jerry’s belongings. But, later he found that they had lined the fence out of respect. There was an awful lot of love in that small community. All his schoolmates gathered a box of small gifts, enough to give him one a week throughout the school year. That encouragement of others, Jim stated, made the greatest difference in my life. Many things can be taught, except for encouragement, it comes from the heart.”

“The Optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Jim said, “each of you have enriched my life in different ways. Listen to get clues of the gifts and talents of others. All that we send out into life comes back into our own. What you do for yourself dies with you, but what you do for others lives on.”

Morgan thanked his Dad for all he has done in raising him and his great mentorship.

Concerned citizens formed the Avenida Guadalupe Association in 1979 to improve the Westside of San Antonio. The mission of the Avenida Guadalupe Association is to economically transform the lives of the Avenida neighborhood residents and businesses. Oscar Ramirez said they plan to accomplish this by Empowering the Community, Developing our Commerce, and Honoring our Culture.

The vision is to revitalize the physical, cultural, and economic conditions of the Avenida Guadalupe Neighborhood. The Avenida Guadalupe Association believes that a neighborhood’s economic vitality is critical to ensuring its people a high quality of life. As such, the work of the Avenida Guadalupe Association is predicated upon aggressive economic and housing development efforts in hopes of urban renewal. An informal document written by our first President, Mr. Eugenio Macias, found in the archives of the AGA show the basic precepts under which the Avenida Guadalupe Association was founded in 1979 and which still hold true today:

1. Put faith in God, and it will be done.

2. Do not repeat the mistakes of the past.

3. Find the problems, determine the solutions, and plan.

4. Establish goals, not timetables. Remember that patience is rewarded.

5. Establish dignity, integrity, and a reputation beyond reproach.

6. Go after small amounts and establish a track record.

7. Go after large amounts and get things done.

8. Be grateful for what God provides.

Motto: When God walks with you, the achievable can be achieved. When you walk with God, the unachievable (the impossible) will be achieved.

The Avenida Guadalupe Association is funded by local rentals, fundraising activities, Federal Grants and the City of San Antonio.

David O’Dell’s grade school allowed the same teacher to teach the first and second grade students consecutively. He had the pleasure of having the teacher considered the “Holy Terror" of grade school for those two years. The one great thing about Mrs. File’s class was that she instilled a great appreciation of story telling in the lives of her young students. Thus began his interest in stories. The most important thing to David is being in the Theater and being touched emotionally, mentally, and physically by the story. Opera was something that he wanted to avoid early on, because it seemed to be an elitist art form. But he was inspired and David began his career in the arts as an apprentice artist at The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, Illinois. Following apprenticeships in Santa Fe and Lake George, he spent three seasons as a Resident Artist with Wisconsin Opera Theatre and The North Carolina Opera in Charlotte.

Currently David O’Dell is the first Executive  Director of the San Antonio Opera.

Allison Kushnerick presented a webcast presentation on the American Cancer Society. She stated that 2/3 of all cancer deaths can be prevented with early detection. The American Cancer Society has many resources available on their website http://www.cancer.org/

Allison also showed pictures from the 2008 Camp Discovery. Camp Discovery is a one week camp experience offered to 150 kids with various stages of cancer. Campers come from Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio treatment centers.

Children range in age from 7 to 16. It takes about 100 volunteers year round to plan for camp and it’s activities. Besides campers, they host 48 counselors, 20 medical staff and many camp programming staff. One of the highlights of camp is the Jello War. After the fun of the Jello War the Kerr Fire Department comes and hoses the kids off. They all have a blast. The kids experience an exciting, fun, full of activity week, in which they are completely exhausted at the end of the day.

It is very powerful to hear the kids express what camp means to them. Allison stated that the American Cancer Society could not do what they do without the help of its donors.

Our guest speaker was Tiffany Mock, Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch. Tiffany is a Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist who focuses on assisting clients in managing their long term goals. Understanding that these goals are "every changing targets" she works steadily with clients to appropriately build and modify customized portfolios, whether theirs is a goal for retirement, children's education, or other personal achievements.

Tiffany and her team work with individual, family and business clients. She focuses on strategies to manage both sides of a client's balance sheet; investments and liabilities. She makes it a priority to understand her client's personal priorities and challenges in life so as to best assist them in the wealth management process.

Tiffany regularly presents investment seminars for female organizations. She is also involved as a volunteer for various area non profit groups including Junior Achievement, The Junior League of San Antonio, Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, and the San Antonio Area Girl Scouts. Tiffany is also a member of Leadership San Antonio Class XXVII.

On Tuesday August 5, 2008 our guest speakers were Alfredo Cruz, Kate Rawley Warters, and Robert Huesca from KRTU Jazz 91.7. KRTU is a non-profit radio station that counts on the listener support f or its continued operation and success. They are committed to sustaining the arts and strengthening arts appreciation in San Antonio through preservation, education, and presentation efforts. KRTU established “Growing Jazz in San Antonio” in 2004 as an educational effort to foster the next generation of Jazz fans, musicians, and patrons. Over the last 3 years this initiative has expanded considerably.

KRTU continues to nourish the growth of Jazz in San Antonio through the following opportunities:

• Tickets for Kids

• Jazz Alive Children’s Symposium

• Trinity Summer Jazz Camp

• Fiesta Jazz Festival

• Growing Jazz Showcase

• Growing Jazz Select

Our guest speaker Wanda Deagan and dance instructor Aaron Alvarez provided a very interesting and inspirational dance demonstration of the Cha cha, Bolero, and the Swing.

Dancing has always been a part of Wanda’s life. Her mother put her in dance lessons at the age of 4.

The main emphasis at her studio is to have fun and play nicely with your dance partners. At the same time enjoying the physical and physiological benefits of dancing.

Wanda believes that we all have a little dancer within. She extends the challenge to each to call this little dancer out and have fun dancing.

Dr. David Crocket and Dr. John Robert Hermann from Trinity University’s Political Science department presented an interesting debate on the Supreme Court and the Constitution of the United States. Both seemed to agree that the authors and ratifires of the document, “We the people” can determine the true meaning of the constitution. The courts responsibility is to interpret the constitution within the confines of the law. Both felt that the Supreme Court is the least powerful part of the government. It is the ultimate arbitrator, but they go back to the framers . The Supreme Court is the part of government that is learned in the law. They interpret the constitution with the highest level of integrity.

Our guest speaker was Malcolm Beck, Arthur of “The Secret Life of Compost” as well as several other books on gardening, compost, and bugs. Malcolm is a very down to earth man who enjoys gardening and experimenting with the soil. Malcolm owned and operated Gardenville for many years. His interests focused on how to achieve and permanently maintain the finest soil quality. He did a lot of experimenting with composting and his compost was in high demand. Out of this demand, Malcolm began selling his compost. He collected the refuse from stables, tree trimmers and others around the area, all the while experimenting with the mixtures. Soon Malcolm had the attention of nurserymen and this business grew to a multi million dollar business.

Although he has been very successful almost by accident, Malcolm still enjoys experimenting and is now sharing his secrets in his books and in speaking engagements.

John Dickson who is a principal at The Denim Group, Ltd. , was our guest speaker. John Dickson is a former U.S. Air Force officer who specialized in network defense and command and control while on active duty and Air Force Reserves. He joined Denim Group after holding several leadership positions at SecureLogix Corporation, including Regional Vice President of International Operations and Director of Consulting.

John believes strongly in community involvement. He is a founder and former chairman of the San Antonio Technology Accelerator Initiative (SATAI) and the 2008 Chairman of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. He is also a founding member of the Alamo Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) and a member of the Computer Security Institute (CSI).

John’s main goal as being the Chairman of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is to create economic growth by building companies in San Antonio that offer a specialized business locally

Gloria Boyson Marketing Promotions Coordinator for VIA Metropolitan Bus Transit was our guest speaker. Gloria informed us on VIA’s Destination 2012. Destination 2012 is a specialized transportation service that incorporates the flexibility of bus service with the advantages of rail travel. This transportation is called Bus Rapid Transit or BRT. The city of San Antonio along with VIA is working on opening a corridor on Fredericksburg Road connecting two major employment centers, Downtown and the Medical Center. The BRT line will serve the Medical Center, Balcones Heights, The Deco District, Cattleman Square, the central business district, and St. Paul square. Transit Terminals or passenger centers will be located on both ends of the BRT line in the Medical Center and Cattleman Square.

The BRT service will be able to more much faster through the corridor, giving the passenger a 10 to 15% time savings over the traditional bus service. The BRT vehicles are planned to depart the stations at 10 to 15 minute intervals in each direction. Service will run from 4 a. m. to 1 a. m . The VIA BRT vehicles will have a sleek and distinct appearance.

They are longer than a standard bus and will allow for a larger passenger capacity. Multiple doors and low floors will provide for faster passenger boarding. The vehicles will maintain a hybrid clean diesel and electric propulsion system. Look forward to hear more about this service in the near future as well as see this in operation in the summer of 2012.

The greatest mistake we can make in life is giving up. Manuel Diotte was diagnosed with cancer at the age of seven and told that he had only six months to live. Today he is a walking miracle.

Having had over forty six operations, two years of chemotherapy, and several months of radiation treatment, Manuel overcame insurmountable odds.

In 1987 at the age of 18, he overcame the hurdle of his youth to become the youngest Realtor in the State of Texas with real estate sales in the millions.

Today, he is an entrepreneur, professional speaker, trainer, consultant and the author of the hit book, “Happiness is a Pair of Shorts!”, “Success is a Journey” and a contributing author to the New York Best Seller Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul.

Manuel helps individuals and companies achieve greatness by dealing with change and coping with adversity.

Manuel inspired all the Optimists in attendance with the story of his life that was uplifting and encouraged us all to never give up.

Below is a list of some of his favorite quotes:

The greatest mistake is giving up.

The greatest comfort is work well done.

Always better your best.

Always be happy for others' success.

Bad things do happen to good people.

The greatest handicap is fear.

Winning isn’t always being first, it is finishing.

The best gift in life is forgiveness.

The greatest knowledge is to have God.

Fire Chief Charles Hood was our guest of honor. Chief Hood joined the San Antonio fire department in April of 2007. He oversees more than 2,500 employees, who provide fire protection and EMS service city-wide. Prior to coming to San Antonio, Chief Hoods career began with the Phoenix Fire Department rising through the ranks to the position of Assistant Chief.

Chief Hood stated that “As Optimists we are all stake holders in the city of San Antonio”. Chief Hood believes in leadership by example. He routinely visits the fire stations and rides with the firemen. He holds an open door policy to encourage the communication and relationships between the departments and their personnel. Since coming to the city of San Antonio he has challenged and evaluated all risk management opportunities including: safety, communication issues, violent incident policy, dispatch, and executive development. He is working to implement a workforce that mirrors the community. Safety is the most important thing he does. He believes that all employees within the department must be physically, emotionally, and psychologically fit. He must focus on all areas of the infrastructure so the department can be available for you on the worst day of your life.

Dr. Kaye Wilkins was our guest speaker. Dr. Wilkins told us about his travel to Iraq and into the city of Basra. He visited the year that Iraq had their first democratic election. Security was very tight. They stayed at the Dr’s house, which was one of the nicer homes in Basra.

While in Iraq they examined more than 100 patients in the orthopedic clinic seeing many unusual defects. They also lectured at Basra School of Medicine. The doctors here are truly residents being confined to their quarters at the hospital. The response from the Doctors was “Our dreams of the Past are now becoming reality”. They also made arrangements to send needed equipment and educational materials to Iraq.

Security on the borders was very tight. The government is very afraid of allowing their medical personal out of the country for training, fearing that they will not return.

Mark Werner introduced Officer Gordon Keogh Bike Safety Officer with the San Antonio Police Department.

Officer Keogh said the City Wide Bike Rodeo will be held on May 31, 2008 at the Convention Center, Hall A, from 7:30AM until 12:00 Noon. Volunteers are needed. This is a great opportunity to serve the children in San Antonio. The children will be judged on their ability to maneuver through five different obstacles.

 The role we play in promoting bike safety is greatly appreciated.

Optimists have another great opportunity to participate in awarding bicycles to children. Bicycles are supplied by the Optimist Club of San Antonio to be awarded as prizes at 6 elementary schools, generally attendance or citizenship awards. We are seeking volunteers to attend the award presentations at these schools and congratulate the winners. They are generally awarded at the school award ceremonies, so count on wearing your Optimist shirt and spending an hour recognizing top students at these schools.

The World’s Greatest Optimist Club had the honor of honoring Detective Gilbert Tovar for his dedication to duty within the San Antonio Police Department. Detective Tovar said he was grateful and thanked God for making this day possible. He said that as a young person he wanted to make a difference in our community and city. He said that it means a lot when a citizen recognizes what he does as an officer and commends him on a job well done.

We were also honored to host a number of police officers from the San Antonio police department.

Chief Mc Mannus commended the city and the San Antonio Police Department for the great support they show the department and staff.

Dr. Eileen Lundy is a retired professor from the English Department at UTSA. Ed is also a retired professor from the English Department at Austin Community College. Both have their Ph. D’s from UT Austin. After teaching American literature, culture and writing in the United States, Eileen and Ed continued international teaching and research in American Studies in Jordan. From January to August of 2007, as senior fellows of the American Center for Oriental Research in Amman, Jordan, Eileen and Ed traveled to 12 countries to interview professors, students, and administrator to explore the nature and effectiveness of the American Studies Program.

Eileen concentrated her studies on women. Some women are very oppressed, but most are not. They were guests within a traditional Mediterranean Villa that had 3 levels. The lady of the house did not wear a veil to cover her face and stated that she did not want her daughters to . What is occurring is referred to as the “Islamic Revolution”.

The second woman she encountered was the cleaning lady. She made her living working mostly for English teachers and Fullbright scholars. She was very hospitable and presented Eileen with a very lavish gift of a hand crochet jacket that was valued in surrounding Airports for $400. She had taught her daughters to carry on this age old tradition.

The third woman she encountered was the Director of Vibrant Women’s Center. She was a Christian, Palestinian and a woman in a predominantly man’s world. The forth face was that of a student who presented her thesis on the belief that the west was better than the east. This was based on family beliefs that the Jews were cursed. She pointed out facts from the Koran that proved that they were not cursed. Ed also commented on the hospitality in the Middle East.

Our guest speaker David Gallant retired from the USAF as a Master Sergeant and Air Force Office of Special Investigations Special Agent. He is currently employed by efence as a Computer Forensics Specialist. Computer forensics is a systematic analysis of any computer media, such as hard drives, thumb drives, and blackberries. Through computer forensics David is able to recover deleted files, internet histories, emails, images, chat histories, pictures, etc. Investigations that typically use computer forensics are family law cases, criminal defense, civil cases, and government and business unauthorized use of computers. David said that most of the cases that he has worked on recently involve divorce. He said to be careful of what you take pictures of because with digital images, once on your computer they can easily be transferred online for all the world to see.

Texas now requires that anyone who provides computer forensic services must be licensed as a Private Investigations Company.

Richard Gambitta director of the Institute of Law and Public Affairs from UTSA was our guest speaker. He said that their was a great deal of Optimism in the three presidential candidates, There is diversity in the candidates in their views and in age, gender, and race. A German scholar asked the question, Why do politicians tell us things that are not true or things that can’t be kept? It seems that there are there are three times in life when stretching the truth occurs— after a fishing or hunting trip, before marriage, and during political campaigns.

Cost is incredible and the longer that the campaign is stretched out the more it will cost. With the election so close, we have to be Optimistic for our country.

Richard also gave us some interesting demographics on the remaining primaries and caucuses, the electoral college, and Democratic, Republican, and undecided states.