January 10, 2005 Program

Our guest speaker today was Steven Foster, an excellent swimmer who was vacationing in Thailand when the tsunami struck. In sharing with us his encounter with the devastating natural phenomenon, Mr. Foster noted the following points:

  1. It was during the morning of December 26, 2004 when he heard the earthquake strike the ocean which sounded like the explosion of a gigantic bomb. The earthquake registered 9.0 on the Richter Scale.
  2. Thailand was affected by the impact of two large tidal waves of 15-30 feet in height, one at 10:00 a.m. and the other at 2:00 p.m.
  3. The water was flowing at a speed of about 500 miles per hour creating mass destruction and penetrating as far as several blocks into the city.
  4. The more than 5,000 casualties in Thailand included five of his best friends who were also excellent swimmers. Steve's own life was spared due to his being inside on the third floor of a hotel during the tsunami.
  5. Steve stayed in Thailand 2-1/2 days after the crisis to help out where he could before leaving for Bangkok.
  6. A tsunami (a Japanese word that translates as "harbor wave") is triggered by a vertical disturbance in the ocean, such as an earthquake, land slide, or volcanic eruption.

Visitors

We were delighted to have present with us Alvin Culver (speaker's friend), Bill McMurry (Sandy), Mark Smith III (Past Governor and member of Kiwanis International Board), and Northside Interclubbers Mary Zamont, Tom Jones, and Joel Eisenberg.

Future Speakers

January 18th   Fred Powers - Channel 46 Reporter
January 25th   Scott Docker - CEO of PBT, Inc.
February 1st   Susan Crawley - Associate Curator of Folk Art at the High Museum

Recognition

President Ray recognized Dusty who noted that the Foundation is making a gift of $1,000.00 plus $500 of individual donations to provide relief for victims of the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia.

Pin Violation

Sam and Kit lifted the spirit of Our Compassionate Mel.

Kiwanis Education

The first Key Club was organized in 1925 by the Kiwanis Club of Sacramento.

President Ray's Quote

"Sweet are the uses of adversity, which like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head."
-- William Shakespeare

Announcements

  1. Angie meets with Rising Leaders at 2 p.m. on January 25th.
  2. Sherry meets with Membership Committee at 4 p.m. on January 30th.
  3. Yvonne and Ronni are asking us to bring an auction item and purchase our tickets for the Valentine Gala which will take place on February 11th at the Ansley Club.


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