RAMONE AND RENE are ready to serve up breakfast.  Treasurer Pat and Ticketmaster Collin are trying to balance the books. Secretary Chris is making Marks on the sign in slips.

VISITING ROTARIAN, introduced by Secretary Chris, was Billy J. Meeks [Private Investigator] from the Plano Metro Rotary Club. Billy was a member of our club from April - December 2002.

GUESTS WERE Michelle Robbins [Data Processing] guest of Joyce Baumbach, Matt Shahreen [running for office] guest of Danny Morris [running for office], Marianne Elwell [plastic bags] guest of and wife to George Elwell, Jerry Hoagland [County Commissar] guest of George Elking, Peter Foster guest of and son-in-law to George Elking and Michael Marks [USMC] guest of and son of David Marks. Michael,  a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps, is soon deploying to Kuwait and he received a spontaneous standing ovation.

SGT-AT-ARMS DOUG CARGO, still hampered by the loss of ROTOPIG and forced to use Junior Pigs, fined Joyce for not knowing she had a guest, George Elwell for failing to mention his wife's name during the intro, and George Elking for possible disparaging remarks about his son-in-law.

ABSENT WERE Steve Blair, Matt Brown, Kevin Cain, David Daniels, Reeves Davis, Paul Huang, Juergen Mahneke, Bud McBrayer, Bill Moore, John Payton, Bill Peterson, Randy Plumlee, John Roach and Brenda Rogers.

SECRETARY CHRIS allegedly found some quotes in old PSR minutes. "I love deadlines. I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by" --- A Past Pres. "I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize." --- Former Int'l Committee head.  "Hard work never killed anyone...but why take a chance?" --- A recent Sgt-at-Arms.  "He does the work of 3 men - - Moe, Larry & Curly" --- Judy Jackson.

DISTRICT BLOOD DRIVE CHAIRTHING George Elking noted that the Allen Rotary Clubs have taken up the "Battle of the Badges" idea. Their Police and Fire Departments will be having a blood drive September 29th and October 2nd & 3rd.

SGT-AT-ARMS DOUG CARGO took Police Chief Greg Rushin to task for an interview article in the local Plano Star Curious newspaper and fined him severely - - - two bits. Greg failed to make any mention about Oktoberfest <LINK>,  coming up soon.

OKTOBERFEST ANNOUNCEMENTS: Judy Jackson needs gift certificates from Restaurants. Every night from Oct 1-14 there will be a work session at her house to put all the auction items together. Sharon Lewis showed the posters that were available for placing in your favorite business. George Elwell showed a game football with signatures donated by a title company. Joyce needs ticket stubs filled out and turned in with the money. Doug Cargo needs those who have not yet signed up for work shifts to do so.

PLANO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE <LINK> honored outstanding citizens at the September Excellence in Business luncheon.  Included were our own George Elwell and Tino Trujillo.

FOUNDATION CHAIRPERSON Rod Hogan presented Paul Harris Fellows to George Elwell and Doug Ray.

DAVID MARKS reported that the Battle of the Branches Blood drive gathered 25 pints and the Marines won.

TODAY'S PROGRAM was County Judge Keith Self, who spoke AGAINST the upcoming County Bond Election for Transportation because he feels that it is too big, doesn't address the congestion and is unfairly spread across the entities that will be furnishing the tax dollars. He feels that it can be redone in a year. On the other hand, business persons Judy Jackson and George Elking felt that we  needed to go forward, even if the plan was not perfect rather than delay it three years and get way behind.  As is our custom, a book was donated to the Nellie McCall Library at the David McCall Elementary school in Keith's name and duly signed by him.  The book was "Mazescapes" <LINK>  by Roxio Munro. Instead of a nice certificate, suitable for framing, Keith received  a Rotary Pen for our appreciation of his presentation.

FAMOUS PLANO PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR Billy J. Meeks agrees to take on the search for ROTOPIG.  He will do it semi pro bono i.e. for a mere 10% of any [or no] funds recovered.  Another anonymous email came in with a picture and has been forwarded with the others to Billy, who says that ROTOPIG is definitely up a creek.