Opti-Bull November 7, 2009

2009-2010 President Mark Sullivan

Mark Sullivan has stepped up to the plate to lead us through the year to come. He is full of wonderful ideas and energy to make this year a great year! The Meridian Optimist Club already has great projects and fundraisers, but be sure Mark will make these even better. He has appointed a committee to start up the casino fundraiser so we are well prepared and can make this a great event and bring in lots of money to support our clubs projects and our gun club. The gun club needs a new building and Mark is making sure we don’t drop the ball. Through this year I am sure we won’t just be talking about building a new building but steps will finally be taken to make this happen. Mark we are all excited for this year and all the projects the club will be doing. You are just the man to do the job!

Installation Dinner
Thank you to Rick’s Pressroom for opening your doors on a Sunday evening and allowing us to hold this wonderful event at your restaurant. The food, as always, was delicious! The installation dinner was a wonderful treat. But with great company, great food, and lots of laughs what more was there to ask for? An awesome 2009-2010 team was installed. Congratulations to our basket winners, Travis and Tina winning the BSU basket, Ken and Cindy winning the Vandal’s beer, Kim and Jerry winning the Breakfast basket, and Charlie and Patty winning the dinner and a movie basket!

A New Look
The gun club received a bit of a face lift on the inside thanks to Elke and Gail. They took time out to clean it up. They took down old clippings from past shooters and made space for our current kids! They even put a new sign up on the door! Next time you go there make sure to take a look. It looks great!

Welcome New Members
Diana Howard
Kim Keene
Eddie Solórzano

And next to come…

Gun club fix up
November 7 – Come and join us. We will be fixing the waterline at the gun club Saturday morning. All who are able to help are encouraged to come. We will be meeting at Express Café for breakfast at 8am then heading to the gun club when are bellies are full.

Rake up Eagle
November 7 – Grab your rakes and help rake up the city! 8 am.

Rake up Meridian
November 14 – Grab your rakes and help rake up Meridian! We will be meeting at the Boys and Girls club at 8:30 am.

Casino Fundraiser
November 17 – Casino fundraiser planning meeting at Ron Peterson’s at 7pm

Food Baskets
November 9 – Containers will be dropped off at the schools.

November 20 – We will be meeting for lunch, then head out to pick up the food from the schools and take all food items to Red Line where we will sort and box.

November 21 - The best part. Everyone should meet at Red Line and deliver to the families. If you have yet to volunteer to deliver you should sign up this time. This is the perfect way to see the difference we are making!

Christmas Trees**
November 27 – (The day after Thanksgiving) Trees will be delivered! Come join us for breakfast 8am at Express Café. We will meet, at, then set up the Christmas tree lot.

December 7 – Larry Gebert with channel 7 will be at the Christmas tree lot. So rise early, dress warm, and come on down.

** We will need volunteers everyday from November 27 until all Christmas trees are sold. It is a great fundraiser, can’t wait to see you there!

Submitted by Opti-Bull editor Cassandra Lynch.

Meridian OptiBull March 23

Meridian Optimist Club recognized for being an Honor Club in 2007-2008
At the recent PNW District Regional Meeting the Meridian Optimist Club was recognized as an Honor Club for the 2007-2008 administrative year. Less than twenty-five percent of all Optimist Clubs earn the distinction of Honor Club. However, it has become a tradition for the MOC to consistently be recognized by the PNW District and Optimist International for their excellence in service to the community. Congratulations to everyone who made this recognition possible. Let’s give a big High Five to our leaders for 2007-2008: Bill Garcia, President and Kimberly Bowers, Secretary/Treasurer.

You can help the MOC celebrate some Annual Events in April
This month offers us two great ways to sample what being an Optimist is all about as we hold two of our signature events.

Annual Oratorical Contest on April 8
This year’s theme is “For me, Optimism is…” Optimist International began the oratorical contest in 1928 as a way to help students learn to express themselves and prepare for continuing their education and work pursuits. Join th club and the children as they make their presentations on April 8, 6:30 pm, at Meridian City Hall. If you know of a student that wants to participate, please have them download the rules at http://www.meridianoptimist.org/ and/or contact the Sue at 409-0792.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 11
Chairman Trenna Bowman Garcia invites all Optimists and their friends and families to join us for the 32nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt. This little guy sure had a great time with his grandparents Ken and Cindi Wall at last year’s event. Plan to join us on April 11 – Breakfast at Express Café at 8:00 am; Setup at Meridian Elementary School, 48 W. State Street at 9:00 am; Egg-off at 11:00 am sharp!

Luck o’the Irish Casino Night

The Meridian Optimists joined forces with the Meridian Firefighters Local 2647 to help them raise funds for a Pipes & Drums Corps. Thanks to everyone who made this a fun and fund-raiser for both groups. Optimist Member, Fireman and event chairman Rod Shaul has already announced plans for a repeat performance in 2010.

Recent activities include:
President Sue and Past President Dr. Tom represented the MOC when we traveled to Twin Falls for a Regional Meeting for the PNW District. While visiting with our Optimist friends is fun, business is also conducted at the district meetings. Every club president serves as a member of the District Board of Directors and as such, they have the opportunity to participate in deciding what direction the district will take to promote and expand the reach of Optimist Clubs both at home and in our geographic region. Other club members can also benefit from the networking and inspirational activities that are part of the District Meeting agenda. We welcomed new member Jeff Peterson into the Meridian Optimist Club!

We helped President Sue Thompson celebrate her March birthday.

A little bit of networking took place at the Luck o’ the Irish Casino Night with Tom McKinstry and Dr. Tom Hammond.

What’s happening next?

Junior Golf Tournament Planning
March 25 – 6:30 pm at Smokey Mountain Pizza. Join the committee and help make our newest club activity successful.

New Member Induction
April 8 – 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!

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.

32nd Annual MOC Easter Egg Hunt
April 11- Meridian Elementary School 48 W. State Street. Egg-off at 11:00 am sharp. Join your friends for breakfast at Express Café at 8:00 am or arrive at the school at 9:00 am for set-up.

Board Meeting at Smokey Mountain Pizza!
April 15—7:00 p.m. The Board meets on the third Wednesday of every month unless otherwise noticed. Meetings are always open to all!

Zone and Regional Optimist Oratorical Contest
April 25 – 11:00 am Zone and Regional Contest at the old Boys & Girls Club.

District Meeting in Hood River
May 15-16 – It’s the most favorite District Meeting of the year because we get to hear and see the finals of the District Oratorical Contest. Elections for Lt. Governors will also be held. Join us in Hood River, Oregon for the fun.

National Historical Month
May 22 - MOC Bus Tour with Lila Hill. Find out more from Dr. Tom Hammond.

Club meetings!

Every Wednesday –7:00 a.m. Join us at Rick’s Press Room, 130 E. Idaho, Meridian.

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

The Meridian OptiBull January 10, 2009

Happy New Year!
Wow! Can you believe that it is already the second week of 2009? I hope it’s not too late to share a wish with you that Oprah Winfrey shared with her guests on her popular television show. She said, “Welcome to 2009. It’s another chance to get things right!”

What a great approach If you feel that you already are successful, then keep on keeping on. If you didn’t quite make your goals, then try a little harder. And if you just blew it – didn’t keep any of your resolutions or didn’t make any – then this is your chance to try again.

I believe that most Optimists get it right when they strive to carry out the tenets of the Optimist Creed. Join us every week and double your chances for a successful year!

Holiday Season equals Fund Raising Season
The Meridian Optimist Club celebrated the holidays by holding two great fund raisers. According to S/T Bill Garcia, the Christmas Tree lot brought in $600 less than last year and spent $300 less than last year. Sounds like whatever we did, we doubled our money!

In dollars, that should compute to approximately $22,900 gross and $10,900 net. That’s approximately $400 more than budgeted and with this economy, that deserves a BIG HIGH 5! Well done team! Special thanks to Chairman Kirk Farnsworth and every Optimist and Rifle Club member that made up the sales force and set-up/tear-down team. We appreciate you!

A fun-filled, value-added activity was headed up by Ron Petersen, Casino Chairman. Instead of just renting out the casino tables, he rented our Optimist members as dealers. Our Optimist team got to enjoy a little holiday fun with Idaho Power and others and earn approximately $1,700 to boot. Ron says, “Children are our best ‘bet’.” Great job Ron! Thank you dealers!

Scholarship contests
The Optimist International Essay Contest is underway and MOC is hoping to receive essays from students at area schools. The topic is “The Power of Youth.” Students under 19 years of age as of December 31, 2008 are eligible to participate. Deadline for entry is January 31, 2009.

The Optimist International Oratorical Contest is also seeking participants. Students must be under the age of 16 as of December 31, 2008. The topic is “To me, optimism is…”. The club level competition will take place in mid-March.

Complete rules and entry forms can be found at http://www.meridianoptimist.org/. Please help spread the word! Homeschoolers are welcome too!

Recent visitors and activities include:
Tracy Shaw from the Wishing Star Foundation shared some heartwarming stories about helping kids with life-threatening illnesses. According to Tracy, Wishing Star is unique in that they help out “beyond the wish” for birthdays, holidays, and any other time a helping hand is needed. The Foundation was formed in the Coeur d’Alene area in 1993. Tracy is shown here with Kevin Orth.

Melissa Delaney from the Meridian Police Department made a presentation to the club on the same day that Tom McKinstry pulled the winning card and pocketed $214. Guess what? If you missed it, Tom still owes us breakfast! It’s a tradition that the winner buys!

Breck Thompson joined Cassie Lynch, Sue Thompson, Linda Jackson and a volunteer from St. Luke’s to wrap Christmas presents for Santa’s Toy Box. Santa’s Toy Box provides gifts to children who are in the hospital during Christmas. Special thanks to Sue for answering the call to help find more gifts when their toy box ran low. With donations from the community, she added 73 more gifts to their program.

Tina Ellis, Founder and Executive Director of Angel Cakes Charity told us all about her pet project of baking and delivering cakes to people just to help them feel special on their birthdays or other days as needed. She started working with hospice clients, branched out to kids in foster care and is now expanding her reach to area rescue missions. She has a team of Angel Bakers that share her passion including Donna Petersen. Donna claims her baking style is “grandma baker.”

What’s happening next?
New Member Induction
January 14 – 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 a NEW LOCATION!
January 21—7:00 p.m. The Board Meeting is moving across Main Street to Corkscrews. We’ll meet some new people and still be a fan of Rick’s. Rick has offered to fix “to-go” dinners and Trenna has volunteered to be our go-fer! Board meetings are open to all.

Essay Contest Deadline
January 31 – All essays must be received by the club on this day.


Regional Meeting in Twin Falls
March 7 – Plan ahead and join the MOC contingent for a District Meeting. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Idaho Optimists, plus our District Governor Peter Smith will be there to welcome you. Keep your ears open and you may find out more about a side trip to Jackpot!
Club meetings!


Every Wednesday – We hope to see you at 7:00 a.m. Join us at Kal’s Big Breakfast, 39 E. State Street, Meridian.

In Memory

John Dodge will be remembered at a memorial service on Jan. 21 in Vancouver WA. John was a past PNW District Governor and member of the Portland-Lloyd Center Optimist Club.