President Deb Chope-Hughes opened the meeting.  A prayer of thankfulness for the ecumenical nature of Rotary International was offered by Deborah Russell, followed by the news of the day.  Elaine Williams highlighted the large variety of community arts events.  Jerry Albertson led the club in "Hail to Rotary."

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton delivered a policy update from Washington, recalling that when he first took office during the Carter Administration, the budget deficit was $29 billion.  Now it is $1.6 trillion, prompting him to endorse President Barack Obama's proposed freeze on non-defense spending.  "I think it's a step in the right direction," he said.  He said he will be working to help build a "coalition of Democrats and Republicans" to support the freeze and to work on eliminating abuse and waste in the budget.   Also helpful in curbing excess spending would be the power of a line-item veto for the president, he said.   Health care change is still needed and possible if it includes torte reform, the ability to purchase insurance across state lines and the protection of people with pre-existing conditions.   He reiterated his long-standing support for nuclear power. France can build a nuclear power plant and have it running in four to five years, about half the time it takes the United States.  "Why can't we do that?" he asked.

Jim Holtgreive announced that the club had raised an astounding $25,105.75 for the Salvation Army during the annual bell-ringing campaign.  Hardy bell-ringers had raised $2,457 despite single-digit cold, snow and wind, but the warm heart of an anonymous donor made up the rest of the goal with a gift of $2,000.  Then another wonderful person, who also declined to take credit for their compassion, obliterated any chilling effect with a gift of $20,000!

Julie Peterson reminded Rotarians to complete the survey recently sent to them.  The address if there is any problem in sending the survey back is rneal@capitolresearchservices.com.  A 60- to- 70 percent return from Rotarians will help the club plan for the future to better reflect what members expect.

Mike Williams and Steve Duisterhof  updated the club on Haiti relief efforts.  Funds given to Kalamazoo Rotary Charities have already been used by District 4060 Rotarians to get truckloads of medical supplies to the earthquake-damaged regions.  A Rotarian there is highly ranked in the Haitian Medical Association and can get medical supplies wholesale, which has helped make the most of the contributions. In addition, more than 400 water filters have been distributed.           "Haiti is our neighbor," Steven reminded Rotarians.  Grace Children's Hospital, the flagship facility of International Child Care Inc. that is headquartered in Kalamazoo and whose head is Keith Mumma, has been damaged beyond repair, so that babies are staying in cribs under tarps.  Kalamazoo Rotary has raised more than $1,500 for Grace and Gordon Water has raised $5,500.

Barb Walters gave a happy buck for Dr. Andy Latham who was in Haiti seeing more than 200 patients a day at a medical clinic where he is volunteering.

Bryan Zocher introduced the program, members of the All Ears Theatre.  Their performance of the radio classic Ethel and Albert, who had widely divergent reactions to the prospect of vacationing at a nudist resort, elicited a lot of chuckles.  Organized nine years ago by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo as a way to bring more people downtown, All Ears is a collaboration of local artists that is funded by the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation.  Performances are free! The 30-minute shows are at 6 p.m. every other Saturday, January through May, at the First Baptist Church in downtown Kalamazoo.  The performances are recorded and broadcast at 11 a.m. on the last Saturday of the month on WMUK 102.1.

April 3, All Ears Theatre will celebrate its 100th performance with a re-creation of Orson Welles' 1938 classic, The War of the Worlds. For more information:  www.allearstheatre.com or www.kalamazooarts.com