Thursday, February 26, 2009

Meridian OptiBull February 22

We’re on the move…
Your Optimist Club keeps growing! That’s a good problem to have; but with the unexpected closing of Kal’s Big Breakfast, the MOC had to go out in search of a new meeting location to accommodate our usual number of attendees. Thanks to MOC member Rick Valenzuela, Rick’s Press Room stepped up to the challenge and has graciously offered his restaurant for a private Meridian Optimist Club breakfast every Wednesday.

It’s a special party every week – and you have a standing invitation! The first breakfast was terrific. Thanks Rick! We look forward to many more.

Meet new member Doug Mason
Doug joined the MOC in January and has already pitched in on a really big move in town. With equipment from his employer, Sanitary Services Co. (SSC), Doug helped make short work of the Meridian Food Bank’s relocation to Bower Street. Thanks to Doug, the job was accomplished in hours instead of days.

Flintstones are no match for the Pirates at the Annual Chili Cook-off
Staying with tradition, MOC members dressed up for their themed chili for the 1st Annual Meridian Fireman’s Chili Cook-off. This is the first year for the firemen to coordinate the event that they inherited from the Meridian Chamber. Always a favorite of our members who like to pretend they are someone else for a day, this year they pretended to be the loveable characters from Bedrock – a place right out of history!
According to the story in the Valley Times, the Eagle Fire Department entered Pirates in the contest and no one was a match for the pirate calendar. Or was it a Firemen Calendar? Aye, matey! Need I say more?

Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 11
The candy has been ordered! Prizes have been purchased! According to Chairman Trenna Bowman Garcia, the rest is all fun. Plan to join us on April 11 and before for preparations. Details to be provided soon.

Casino Night Fund Raisers
The casino tables have found a renewed energy with Chairman Ron Petersen. He’s marketing them to the community along with volunteer Optimist dealers to help. Be sure to step up to this fun and fund raising opportunity. Watch for details coming soon on a combined fundraising event for the Meridian Fire Department and the MOC.

Recent visitors and activities include:
President Sue Thompson, Bill Garcia and Linda Jackson attended the Boise Noon Optimist Club Meeting at the request of Nooners Ken Wall, Larry Highley and Michael Bouton. The purpose of the meeting was a ransom demand! Buster Bronco was returned to his rightful owners for the mere price of one Meridian gavel. As a bonus, Sue received two gavels instead of one.

Jessica Galloway, executive director, Idaho Peace Officers Memorial visited to confirm MOC’s participation in the Fun Run scheduled for May 9.

Due to the favorable weather we’ve been enjoying, Bill Holstein found his way to town to enjoy a meeting recently. We were hiding at JB’s restaurant for the day, but thanks to his investigative skills as a super insurance sleuth, he found us anyway. You can see why he has a hard time getting here in the snow. Good to see you Bill!

The Meridian Optimist Junior Air Rifle Club has been competing! Junior Olympic trials were held and twenty-one shooters participated. Ross Hadfield and Bob Nelson shared the news at a recent meeting.

What’s happening next?
Regional Meeting in Twin Falls
March 7
– Join the MOC usual suspects for a Regional District Meeting at Bridgeview Estates in Twin Falls. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Idaho Optimists, plus District Governor Peter Smith will be there to welcome you and Immediate Past Governor Steve Andersen will be presenting awards for the 2007-2008 administrative year. Can you guess which Idaho club will be honored?

Casino Nights
March 7 and 21 – Dealers needed. Call Ron Petersen at 866-3706 or Rod Shaul at 888-4699 to volunteer.

New Member Induction
March 11 – 7:00 a.m. Help us welcome our newest members to the Club! Each new member will learn about the purposes of Optimist International and get the opportunity to tell us about themselves! New member inductions will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Sponsor a member today!

Board Meeting at LOCATION TBA!
March 18
—7:00 p.m. The Board meets on the third Thursday of every month unless otherwise noticed. Meetings are always open to all!

Optimist Oratorical Contest
April 8 – 6:30 pm Hear what the kids have to say at the Club contest about “For me, optimism is…” at Meridian City Hall.
April 25 – 11:00 am Come back for the Zone Contest at the old Boys & Girls Club.
Club meetings!
Every Wednesday
–7:00 a.m. Join us at Rick’s Press Room, 130 E. Idaho, Meridian.

Looking Forward
April 11- Easter Egg Hunt
May 15-16 - District Meeting in Hood River
May 21 -National Historical Month Meridian Bus Tour with Lila Hill