UPTOWN OPTIMIST CLUB

APRIL 30, 2009

I know it's been nearly a month since the last Update, but I have had some health issue that I have been dealing with. They come with age. One can complain, but at least you have the age factor keeping you going. My motto is, "If I wake up in the morning, it's a good day, no matter how I feel".

Well today we had a very active meeting. Tom Hogan & Tom Robeson were both back. Tom Robeson filled us in on his trip to McAllen, TX to visit with his brother. Tom talked on how much it has changed since he left nearly 60 years ago. His brother still lives there and Tom said that it has changed a lot in the last three years. It is the hub of a growing industrial & commercial area in both Texas & Mexico. It is 150 miles from Monterey, Mexico which is the heart of the Northern Industrial area of Mexico. Tom said that there are a lot of "Snow Birds" who now winter in McAllen.

Tom Hogan told us that he is going to run for Governor-Elect of the Arizona District for the 2010-2011 year. He asked Pete Filiatrault to write a letter of recommendation to the Arizona District for him. Pete readily agreed.

Phil Schultz announced that the first Soap Box Derby race of the spring will be held at Pima Community College West, in the West parking lot. Practice will be on May 9th, and the race will be held on May 10th. Phil has 24 cars entered at the present time, so he will need as much help as possible. Phil told us how well the Tucson Soap box Derby kids have done.. We have had one girl come in 3rd in the National who won a $2,500.00 scholarship. We have had several kids lace in the top 10 in their respective races, so we are doing good. As the Uptown Club Sponsors, organizes and runs the Soap Box Derby Races in Tucson, hats off to Phil and all who help them.

Jesus Eli, Principal of Drachmann Primary Magnet School spoke on how well Drachmann is doing. They will be able to have Jesus as the full time principal this year. They also will have a full time librarian. They also will have all day kindergarten. They have managed to keep most of their programs going in spite of the economic difficulty TUSD is having this year. Many schools have to share a Principal with another School and some will lose their librarians and possibly all day kindergartens. The librarian form Drachmann told us about their upcoming Book Fair to be held May 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th. Each day they will start at 8:30 am and go to about 10:30. She invited any of us who want to come see the book distribution to come. They will also have their annual Parade of Books on Monday May 18th starting at 8:20 am. This is a Parade around the school with kids pulling wagons and carrying the books. I believe they have a banner thanking the Uptown Optimist club for our support. It should really be a lot of fun. The champion reader this year has read 1,100 books since the beginning of the school year in August.

We talked about all the programs we have helping kids and how we have a problem getting any newsprint, radio or TV coverage. Tom Hogan is going to send out Press Releases and hopefully someone will come out to the Soap Box Derby or the parade of Books and give us some credit for what we do.

I want to welcome back Meg Sax who will be rejoining us soon. She has stayed a member all along, but just had problems making the meetings.

This weekend, May 1st, 2nd & 3rd will be the 3rd Quarter District Meeting being held at the Hilton East hotel at Broadway & Pantano. It will be the Oratorical Contest. We hope to see some of you there. There will be a no host dinner on Friday night at Mama Louisa's. Harr7y Merodias will run the hospitality room on Friday night. The Uptown Piggy Bank is donating $51.00 to the Optimist International Foundation thanks to all our members who drop a few coins or green stuff into the piggy every week.

There will be a Board meeting on Monday night, May 4th at Bill Merodias's at 6:00 pm.

I think that should catch everyone up on what has been happening.