Honored Guests: Kursten Robbins (LeeAnn Cline), Ryan Bowman (LT Erickson), and Chris Scholes (stand-in for Anna Scholes!)

Committee Reports

Lost Wages – Kathleen Hale passed around sign-up sheets for various activities, and will continue to do so at upcoming meetings. We need lotsa volunteers, a coupla cashiers, and a co-chair for LeeAnn Cline on the silent auction. Kathleen said the committee made several decisions at their meeting Wednesday night: there’ll be a new “title” sponsorship for the event, for $5,000; will be three levels of sponsorship for the three poker tables and craps table, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, and we’ll make bigger “deals” of them; and table sponsorships will increase from $100 to $250 (Chris Scholes bought one on the spot!!) (we’ll approach last year’s sponsors first to give them first choice). Tickets will remain $25 each (no more two-fer $40 deals). Silent Auction items and items for the Egg Game are needed, and we should start gathering them now, to avoid last minute rush and squeezing the time for those who do the basket preparation and set-up. LeeAnn said she could find storage space for the items, so don’t hold off gathering and donating them. Think of it as early spring clean-up! (Interesting note: Canyon Crest Dining and Event Center normally charges @ $3k for the use of the 5,320 square foot facility; they’re donating it for this event!) Thank them on behalf of our Club, if you have an occasion to do so!

Ronald McDonald House – the ribbon-cutting dedication ceremony will take place on February 1st, in Boise. Dennis Bowyer, Dawn Soto, and Doug Roe will be going to Boise for the ceremony at 11:00 A.M., so contact one of them if you’d like to carpool. Bill Kyle noted that there’ll be a reception for donors (as a TFOC member, you certainly qualify!) on Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and if you’d like to tour the facility, you can do so from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Coats for Kids® – Danae Klimes said we’ve given out 650 coats since September (217 in October alone), but the pace has slowed with (somewhat) warmer weather since the Christmas break. Same messages before: fill vacant spaces on the racks from boxes, if some sizes are in short supply, notify Anna Scholes or Danae; and — most importantly — if you can’t deliver on time, notify Danae immediately.

Other Events of Interest – Chris Scholes invited us all to participate in the “Death by Chocolate” event next week at the Canyon Crest Dining and Event Center.

“To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind…” is an admirable, if sometimes difficult to achieve, state of being. Something that can help you to keep that promise to yourself is practicing “The Four Agreements” as written by don Miguel Ruiz. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, they are: be impeccable with your word; don’t take anything personally; don’t make assumptions; and always do your best.

Put these Optimist Events on Your Calendar!

• Ribbon cutting for the new Ronald McDonald house in Boise – February 1, at 11:00 a.m.
• Lost Wages – March 14 at Canyon Crest 7-10 PM