# 104 Alexandria South (7610)

The club minus two members

What an engaging club visit.  This is the smallest club in the district and while the directory shows eight members this morning's meeting started with ten and closed with eleven.  It is always a pleasure to welcome new members to a club.  Emilio Williams not only was inducted, he was also the speaker.  Emilio is the president of The Koi Group. This morning he used a variety of facilitation techniques to get the group to open up to others and learn about one another.  The techniques used were fun and energizing.  With a club this size, all members take a leadership role which was effortless within the group.
The breakfast club meets at the IHOP on Richmond Highway, so good pancakes can be expected.

Meal $10.

# 105 Fairfax (7610)

Lunch in Fairfax, a town I seem to be driving through quite frequently to get to other clubs.  This larger lunch club had a very full schedule.  The new slate of officers were introduced to the club and the review of the fabulous christmas party held for over 60 homeless children was reviewed.  This club is active year round with Christmas in April, a Classic Golf Tournament, Bell Ringing for Salvation Army, See's Candy sales and many more events.  President Art gave me ample time to present my report on my quest before the featured speaker; Susan Kousek from Balanced Spaces spoke on organizing your life. It was a great program for the beginning of the year, when we are all thinking of organizing our homes, offices or life in general.
The meal was a buffet with all the trimmings, I tried to stay with the healthier options as one of my goals for this new year is to loose the extra weight, I have been gaining from this mission.  This club ends the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Club gives donation to Faccets, a non-profit that provides temporary housing for the homeless

Officers for 2011-12

Susan Kousek of Balanced Spaces talks about organizing your time

Meal $15

# 103 Petersburg (lunch) 7600

This Club was a fun group to share a meal with, the members shared their long history of working with their community to make a better place for the citizens.  Meeting at the beautiful Petersburg Country Club, this club has a great lunch, simple but great, the homemade soup was delicious, using fresh vegetables not frozen or canned.  A smaller than normal turn out due to the holidays, we learned about the refurbishing of elderly homes in the city of Petersburg.  After 100 clubs I still get surprises, this club closes their meeting out with a song.

Meal $12

# 102 Rotary Time Television Show

On the set

Ahmed in the control room.

This was something I have never done before, a television interview.  The Falls Church club hosted a television talk show for Channel 10 in Fairfax, VA.  Now I don't know when it will air, but will add a link when I get the information.    The hosts of the show; Mike McCormack and Su yong Min  were gracious and welcoming.  Ahmed Selim, the producer and Rotarian walked me through the process and I was able to watch the beginning of the next program Vienna Club President Richard Lukens.  They had a gathering at the conclusion of Richard's taping, but I had to meet Chad & Stan at the mall.  Their movie was not done so we we not able to make it back to the studio in time for the join the others.

#101 Annadale

member Lester Schoene & President Ted Hussar 

Annadale is a smaller club that meets at a diner.  Today, I did my 2 minute presentation while the featured speaker was a rotarian from  the Falls Church club speaking on a program reaching out to the homeless in Fairfax County  The lunch was a nice broiled fish and the company at my table delightful.

I was surprised by the attendance so close to Christmas they had a full house, although many members were helping out at an event later in the afternoon, handing presents to children.

Meal $12

# 100!!!!!!! Churchland (7600)

I have made it to the half-way point in 100 clubs in 84 days, ahead of schedule, but with the holidays, I had planned to take some time off to work on other projects and spending time at home.

Due to inclement weather, my schedule was altered and Churchland became my 100 club visit.  I was especially pleased to have this club be number 100 as member Bill Pollard has been one of my biggest supporters, as Foundation Chair for 7600,  we have a mutual goal of raising awareness for the final push of the Polio Plus Challenge.

Now I spoke to this club last summer about my previous NID trip  to India, so many of the members remembered me and it was a very comfortable club.  What was special about this day was several members brought their children and/or grandchildren.  Bill's own daughter, played the piano for the club and was absolutely perfect.  At Churchland Rotary Club, A Night Before Christmas was recited to the enjoyment of all.   A couple of Christmas and Hanukah songs were shared with the help of two puppies jingling their collar bells at all the right times.
Then to our surprise Santa came in to greet the children.  Santa did have a slight wardrobe malfunction when his belt slipped down around his feet.
Meal $10

# 99 Blackstone

I was assured I would have the best Fried Chicken in Virginia at this club, and they were true to their word, and the homemade rolls made up for the canned green beans.  At the Blackstone club I was able to reconnect with Chuck & Rebecca Arnason, Chuck by the way was just announced as the 2013-14 DGN designee for district 7600.

This club with anticipation of my visit, dug deep into their individual pockets and offered up a donation of $311 in honor of my 200 Club Challenge, which I was astonished with.  But what happened next nearly blew me away; Chuck pledge to personally match that amount for a total of $622 to Polio Plus.

Another thing I like about this club was the club pennant, it's the first I've seen and no one seemed to know how old it was, but it was in mint condition and is proudly displayed at each meeting.

Meal $15