Sandy Bliesener, Editarian

After President Rex Bell opened the meeting, Rotarians and guests sang the National Anthem. PP PDG Karl Sandelin gave the invocation, Richard Piet of WKZO gave us a rundown of the day's news, and Jim Bridenstine presented the Arts News.  Don't forget this is the last week for "Spared From The Storm" at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. 

Songs:Amy Remmert and John Dillworth led us in ‘Home on the Range' to recognize today's program about Habitat for Humanity.

Announcements and Committee Reports:- Clean Water Update by Susan Williams - This World Community Service project to provide bio-sand water filters to Haiti ends next week.  We can give clean water in a loved one's name in the form of a Valentine's Day certificate.  PE Deb Cope-Hughes chimed in with the hope that her valentine purchases a bio-sand water filter in her name!

- Assistant District Governor Rick Briscoe spoke on behalf of the District in support of the Clean Water Project. He also stressed Rotary's goal of eradicating polio worldwide.  We will have a Special Meeting on March 9; every Rotarian should bring a guest.

- Red Rose Committee by Jean Forrest - This award has been presented annually since 1945 to recognize exceptional commitment to the community by an individual (Rotarian or non-Rotarian).  Red Rose nominations are needed; Wednesday, April 8 nominations will close.

- Rotary Literacy Project by Ann Rohrbaugh - Have put together a three-part program for this year.  Part One is a brief literacy informational report at our next three meetings.  Part Two is a request to purchase books for KPS students - book lists are on the tables and purchased books can be brought to meetings in February.  Part Three is an opportunity to volunteer at a KPS literacy event such as Bagels and Books.  Those interested in volunteering can sign up at the front tables over the next few weeks. 

- Family of Rotary by Andy Latham - The WMU basketball game will be Wednesday, February 11.  Tickets purchased will be distributed at next week's meeting.

Program for the Day:
Tim Lemanski introduced Don Jones, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity.  Rotarian Carl Walker originally brought Habitat for Humanity to the area.  Half of the work of the organization is to engage the community through volunteerism.  2009 marks the 25^th anniversary of Habitat in the Kalamazoo area.  Habitat for Humanity boasts 163 homeowner/partners to date, with only about a 3% default rate over 100 mortgages.  For more information check out http://www.habitatkalamazoo.org/ .

Bagels & Books is another of our projects this year.  If you are interested in participating you may either purchase books listed below or donate money to help us purchase books for this project.  Soon we will have sign-up lists for those wishing to read at area schools.  Thank you for your consideration.
                                           Book Wish List 2009*
Grade 3

Book Title	Author (Last, First)
Boxcar Children	Warner, Gertrude Chandler
Captain Underpants (English & Spanish)	Pilkey, Dav
Clementine	Pennypacker, Sara
Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1)	Osborne, Mary Pope
Ghosthunters and the incredibly revolting ghost! (Bk 1)	Funke, Cornelia
Hank the Cowdog #1	Erickson, John R.
*House Called Awful End	Ardagh, Philip
Judy Moody	McDonald, Megan
Knights of the Kitchen Table (Time Warp Trio)	Scieszka, Jon
*Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye (Geronimo Stilton, No. 1)	Stilton, Geronimo
On the Dog (Andrew Lost #1)	Greenburg, J.C.
Pippi Longstocking	Lindgren, Astrid
Salt in His Shoes	Jordan, Deloris
Sideways Stories from Wayside School	Sachar, Louis
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing	Blume, Judy
Toys Go Out	Jenkins, Emily

Grade 4

Book Title	Author (Last, First)
Because of Winn-Dixie	DiCamillo, Kate
Castle in the Attic	Winthrop, Elizabeth
*Dragon Rider	Funke, Cornelia
Frindle	Clements, Andrew
Guardians of G'ahoole #1	Lasky, Katherine
Island of the Blue Dolphins	O'Dell, Scott
Kite Fighters	Park, Linda Sue
Last Summer with Maizon	Woodson, Jacqueline
Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane	DiCamillo, Kate
Ricky Ricotta's Giant Robot (English & Spanish)	Pilkey, Dav
Silverwing	Oppel, Kenneth
Tale of Desperaux	DiCamillo, Kate
Tuck Everlasting	Babbitt, Natalie
Watsons Go to Birmingham	Curtis, Christopher Paul
Whales on Stilts	Anderson, M.T.
Whipping Boy	Fleischman, Sid

Grade 5

Book Title	Author (Last, First)
Bad Beginning: Series of Unfortunate Events # 1	Snicket, Lemony
Bloomability	Creech, Sharon
Bluish	Hamilton, Virginia
Books in the Orca Currents series
Bridge to Terabithia	Paterson, Katherine
Bud, Not Buddy	Curtis, Christopher Paul
Chasing Vermeer	Balliett, Blue
Cirque du Freak #1	Shan, Darren
*Diary of a Wimpy Kid	Kinney, Jeff
Ella Enchanted	Levine, Gail Carson
Hatchet	Paulsen, Gary
Hoot	Hiassen, Carl
Love that Dog	Creech, Sharon
Midwife's Apprentice	Cushman, Karen
Night of the Twisters	Ivy Ruckman
Orphan of Ellis Island: A Time Travel Adventure	Woodruff, Elvira
Run Away Home	McKissack, Patricia

Grade 6

Book Title	Author (Last, First)
Airborn	Oppel, Kenneth
Al Capone Does My Shirts	Choldenko, Gennifer
Boggart	Cooper, Susan
Books in the Orca Currents series
*Coraline	Gaiman, Neil
Darkness Before Dawn	Draper, Sharon (Hazelwood High Trilogy)
Eager	Fox, Helen
Eragon	Paolini, Chistopher
First Part Last	Johnson, Angela
Forged by Fire	Draper, Sharon (Hazelwood High Trilogy)
Giver	Lowry, Lois
Heaven	Johnson, Angela
Holes	Sachar, Louis
Inkheart	Funke, Cornelia
**Invention of Hugo Cabret	Selznick, Brian
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key	Gantos, Jack
Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)	Riordan, Rick
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry	Taylor, Mildred D
Seedfolks	Fleischman, Paul
Tears of a Tiger	Draper, Sharon (Hazelwood High Trilogy)
Touching Spirit Bear	Mikaelsen, Ben
Warriors # 1: Into the Wild	Hunter, Erin