Calendar of Events

Welcome Jeffry Grady, FAIA President/CEO

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

WE MEET RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY
Lunch begins at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.


Meet Jeffrey Grady
Florida Association of Insurance Agents President/CEO

Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) President/CEO Jeffrey W. Grady received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Florida State University in December 1987.  Jeff started his career in banking in 1988 as a thrift examiner for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. He joined the Florida Bankers Association (FBA) in April 1994 as Vice President, Thrift Banker Executive.  Jeff designed and implemented FBA Leadership Division in 1995.  He joined the Community Bankers of Florida in September 1996 as Executive Director.  Jeff became President & CEO of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents in October of 1998.  Jeff served as chairman of the board of the American Heart Association, Leon County Division and served as vice chairman on the Board of Trustees of Capital Regional Medical Center, Tallahassee.  Jeff and his wife, Linda, have two daughters, Kelsie and Julianne.  He enjoys golf and all recreational sports and is an avid FSU Seminole fan.

The Florida Association of Insurance Agents is a nonprofit state trade association of insurance agencies affiliated with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Inc., and 18 local boards throughout Florida. The association serves as a central source of information for more than 2,000 member agencies, and is dedicated to enhancing the independent agency system through education, legislation, communication, and FAIA Member Services.

Created more than a century ago in 1904 as the Florida Local Underwriters Association, the Florida Association of Insurance Agents adopted its current name in 1941. FAIA was first based in Jacksonville, and then Tampa, before moving to Tallahassee in 1971 to improve the effectiveness of the association's lobbying efforts and communications with state insurance regulators on behalf of independent agents. Surviving and thriving for more than a century takes an active, engaged membership, and a dedicated staff.  Most of all, it takes vision and leadership.  FAIA is led by a 14-member board of directors, which selects a president responsible for managing the association.

Throughout the year, FAIA holds various meetings for members. In March, during the legislative session, agents gather in Tallahassee for the Legislative Fly-In. Each year in June, FAIA hosts its Convention and Education Symposium, featuring presentations from industry experts, networking opportunities, and numerous CE-approved education classes, many of which are presented by FAIA's well known staff of instructors. In August, an annual Planning Session occurs where the association's board and committees meet to discuss goals and strategies for the coming year.

New Members’ Service Project!
Our Club appreciates our new Members (and Sponsors) for Rotary Year 2012-13!
As we’ve done in the past, the Club is planning a “PET workday” on Saturday, April 27. The volunteer effort has been specially arranged for our new members and their sponsors, and anyone else interested is more than welcome to join the group for our 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. visit to the Penny Farms workshop & warehouse. 

What is a PET? Most of us never give it a second thought. However, for more than 20,000,000 people in developing countries who are unable to walk, it is a major concern. These individuals have suffered the loss of mobility because of landmine explosions, illness, birth defects, disease, or accidents. The three-wheeled, hand-powered PET wheelchairs, manufactured by PET-Florida (and other PET affiliates), provide a means for these physically challenged individuals to achieve the “gift of mobility”. And you have an opportunity to help provide that gift!
A PET vehicle in Honduras

So whatever your skill level, if you want to build “wheelchairs on steroids,” send James Chansler an email ( jchansler51@hotmail.com ) to sign up and for carpooling information. We will be leaving around 8:00 a.m. and returning at 12:30 p.m. Thank you for being  South Jacksonville Rotarians!
 




1. Mental exercise (e.g., reading, doing puzzles, learning something new)
2. Moderate aerobic exercise, 50 minutes, three times per week (e.g., walking, bicycling)
3. B-complex vitamins (one per day)
4. Vitamin C (500 mg per day)
5. A handful (1.5 oz ) of nuts daily (e.g., almonds, walnuts)
6. Fish three times per week (e.g., salmon, halibut, mackerel)
7. Foods with curry spice including curcumin
8. Foods high in antioxidants (e.g., grape juice, pomegranate juice, beans, berries, green tea)
9. The Mediterranean diet (e.g., vegetables, legumes, fruit, cereal, olive oil, fish, moderate dairy products, wine, low intake of meat and poultry)
10. Treating cardiac risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and being overweight
11. Socialization (e.g., frequent time with family and friends)
12. Quality sleep (e.g., tell your doctor if you have loud snoring or episodes of stopping breathing or gasping.)


Recap Of the March 26th Meeting
Greeters:  Ryan Maloney, Bill Langley, Cheryl Robitzsch, Sandi Christiansen & Robyn Watson
The Pledge & Prayer:  Cheryl Robitzsch
Craft Talk:  Cheryl Robitzsch
Blue Badge Recipient:   Bill Langley
Rotary Inbound Youth Exchange Presentation: Anna Zimmermann
Introduction of Visitors & Guests:  James Chansler 
    Introduction of Guest Speaker:  Doug Johnson

 Guest Speaker: Dr. Neill-Graff-Radford, M.D. 

Meeting Photos



 

Welcome Dr. Neill Graff-Radford, M.D.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

WE MEET RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY

Lunch served at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.

Meet Dr. Neill Graff-Radford, M.D.

Raised in South Africa, Dr. Neill Graff-Radford, MD, received his medical degree in Johannesburg, South Africa. He moved to the United States shortly after completing his Internal Medicine Residency and completed Neurology Residency training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Following his time in Colorado, Neill moved his family to Iowa, where he did a Behavioral Neurology fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.  Neill’s final move was to Jacksonville, where he is a Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Graff-Radford has a special research interest in Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive disorders. He and his team are world leaders in the effort to better understand these conditions at the genetic level, with hopes of one-day providing means to prevent the terrible toll these maladies take on our senior citizens. When not in the lab or the clinic, Neill is a highly sought after speaker on the international medical stage.

Neill is married to his lovely wife Michelle, a very popular yoga instructor in town, and has two grown sons—one of whom is following in his father’s footsteps as a budding Neurologist in training…

New Members’ Service Project!
Our Club appreciates our new Members (and Sponsors) for Rotary Year 2012-13!
As we’ve done in the past, the Club is planning a “PET workday” on Saturday, April 27. The volunteer effort has been specially arranged for our new members and their sponsors, and anyone else interested is more than welcome to join the group for our 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. visit to the Penny Farms workshop & warehouse. 

What is a PET? Most of us never give it a second thought. However, for more than 20,000,000 people in developing countries who are unable to walk, it is a major concern. These individuals have suffered the loss of mobility because of landmine explosions, illness, birth defects, disease, or accidents. The three-wheeled, hand-powered PET wheelchairs, manufactured by PET-Florida (and other PET affiliates), provide a means for these physically challenged individuals to achieve the “gift of mobility”. And you have an opportunity to help provide that gift!
A PET vehicle in Honduras

So whatever your skill level, if you want to build “wheelchairs on steroids,” send James Chansler an email ( jchansler51@hotmail.com ) to sign up and for carpooling information. We will be leaving around 8:00 a.m. and returning at 12:30 p.m. Thank you for being  South Jacksonville Rotarians!
 






 Literacy Mentoring Service Project

South Jacksonville club members, family and friends assembled Easter baskets for kindergarten students at San Jose Elementary.


RYLA


It's that time again-we're looking for 2 qualified high school juniors or seniors who would like to attend the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly June 27 -30.  This excellent youth leadership training program gets rave reviews each year from all those who attend.  This year's conference will be at Flagler College in St. Augustine.  Let Bill Jaycox know (WJaycox@JaycoxReinel.com) if you have someone who is interested.


Recap Of the March 19th Meeting
Greeters:  Christine Goldsmith, Rick Hartley, Ryan Maloney, Bill Langley, Cheryl Robitzsch, Sandi Christiansen & Robyn Watson
The Pledge & Prayer:  Rick Hartley
Craft Talk:  Bill Langley
Project Survey Update:   PP Gary Wilkinson
Alhambra Fund Raiser Update: P Jim Lanahan 
Special Thanks for Alhambra Fund Raiser to: PP Odette Struys, PP Vicki-lynne Gloger & Chris Bouton
Literacy Mentoring Easter Basket Update:  Chris Bouton
Update on Polio Plus India Trip:  PP Barry Covington & Warner Webb
Presentation of India Club Flag: Warner Webb

Introduction of Visitors & Guests:  Juan Miguel Gutierrez 
    Introduction of Guest Speaker:  Doug Johnson
Guest Speaker: Dr. David Murray, M.D.
Jaguar Team Physician




Welcome Dr. David Murray, Jaguar Team Physician

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

WE MEET RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY
Lunch served at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.


David Murray, M.D.
So You Want to be a Team Doctor

Raised in West Virginia, Dr. David T. Murray, MD, received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Yale University before returning to complete his medical degree at the West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1973. Dr. Murray moved to Florida in 1974, where he completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the University Hospital of Jacksonville, and a Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the Baptist Medical Center.

Dr. Murray has a broad clinical practice experience: he initially practiced Emergency Medicine in Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee, and later headed a large private Internal Medicine practice in Jacksonville. He has been instrumental in the formation of numerous Hospitalist programs in the area, and has served as medical director of several senior living centers. Since 1993, Dr. Murray has been a member of Emergency Resources Group, based in Jacksonville, and has served on their Board of Directors since 1997. He has also served as the Medical Chief of Staff at Baptist Medical Center.

Long interested in sports, Dr. Murray was the team physician for the Jacksonville Tea Men Football Club, North American Soccer League, back in the 1980’s, and later for the Jacksonville Bulls Football Club, United States Football League. From 1994, he has served as the Chief Medical Officer for Jacksonville Jaguars, our National Football League team.

David is married to Cynthia I. Murray, JD, and has two wonderful, and successfully launched, children David, and Lida.

Greetings from India

Hi guys......I'm still abusing my stomach here in India, but it ends tomorrow with a flight to Dubai for a two night, one day stay to see the sights on the way home.  Be home Tuesday night and I am looking forward to a hamburger and sleeping in my own bed!

We've spent the past two days in Varanasi.  This Hindu holy city has been teeming with pilgrims, tourists, etc. from all over the world........literally thousands of people, an incredible show.  Even an assortment of Naked Holy Men!  Now that is really a sight and has to be seen to be believed.  This place is sensory overload to the nth degree and my brain is just about numb.  But what an experience.  For a quick overview of Varanasi, check it out via Google.

From your emails, it appears all is well with the RC of South Jax.....great work.  Sorry I won't be back for Tuesday's meeting but I'll see you the following week. 

If I can put photos and a story together in a coherent fashion, I'd be happy to relate the India NID story for a few minutes in the future.  It was a great experience and the end of polio in India truly is at hand.  The other three countries are not far behind and I believe we'll see polio go the same way as smallpox before long.  Warner and Sherrie Webb should be home by now and I'm sure Warner would like to add his thoughts......they were a great addition to the 27 member team.

Enough for now.  See you soon for a meal with no hot peppers!

Regards,
Barry


Pres Jim Plays Hooky!!



PP Jerry wanted to be sure you got this photo of President Jim enjoying himself way too much on the annual Hanks-Kidd-Lanahan spring training outing March 12-13, for which he was absent from Tuesday's meeting.  This was taken at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar in Bradenton on the evening of March 12.  The spiny creature on the plate is a crab-stuffed lobster!





Recap of the March 12th Meeting
Greeters:  Rick Hartley, Cheryl Robitzsch & Robyn Watson
The Pledge & Prayer:  Jason Burnett
Craft Talk:  Robyn Watson 
Membership Update:  PP Lee Mercier 
New Member Charge:  PP Joe Ripley
New Members:  Mike Manuele & Sandi Christiansen
Rotaract Week Update:  Bob Massey, Jr.
Rotaract of Jacksonville Update: P Kathy Phillips & PE Brett Bell 
Literacy Mentoring Easter Basket Update:  Richard Dow
Project Survey Update:   PP Gary Wilkinson
Welcome Greetings for Visitors & Guests:  Martha Bogdan 
    Introduction of Guest Speaker:  Doug Johnson
Guest Speaker:  Dr. Carlos Vargas
 

Welcome Dr. Carlos Vargas

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY
Lunch begins at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.

Meet Dr. Carlos Vargas
Dr. Vargas trained in Radiation Oncology at William Beaumont Hospital, in the Detroit metropolitan area. Upon completion of training, Dr. Vargas relocated to Jacksonville, Florida as faculty at the University of Florida Shands Hospital in Jacksonville.  At the Shands Proton Center in Jacksonville, Dr. Vargas developed and ran their proton beam program for prostate cancer for many years. 

Dr. Vargas is an internationally recognized expert on the use of proton beam radiation for prostate cancer and other diseases.  He has over 40 publications regarding the treatment of prostate cancer, having made important contributions to the advancement of proton beam radiation, brachytherapy, seed implants, external radiation, IMRT, and image guided prostate cancer treatment (IGRT).  Dr. Vargas has additional expertise in the use image guidance and stereotactic treatments for brain and lung cancers.  He also helped in the development of a sophisticated intensity modulated image guided adaptive process for head and neck patients.


Dr Vargas is the principal investigator for several prostate cancer research studies.  His research includes the uses of different forms of radiation and image guidance, as well as combined treatment with systemic agents.  He is frequently invited to speak at both national and international meetings about using radiation to cure prostate cancer.  He has multiple publications and presentations that can found in peer review journals.


Welcome Back
Rick Hartley is a returning South Jacksonville Rotarian and is a manager at Hartley Press.  The Hartley family is currently celebrating their 50th year in the printing business.  Rick and his wife Mary are both Jacksonville natives.  They have two grown children, Mary Catherine who is an FSU graduate and Andrew, who is a Georgia Tech graduate, now married and living in Atlanta.  Rick is a retired Master Chief in the Naval Reserve and a graduate of Jones College.  Having always been involved in the local political scene, Rick was re-elected last August to a second 4-year term as the Republican State Committeeman representing Duval County on the State Republican Party’s Executive Committee.  He is also a former Scout Master, member of the NE Florida Diabetes Association, member of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission and a Ten-gallon blood donor.    Rick and Mary are active parishioners at Assumption Catholic Church.  Besides politics, Rick enjoys "coaching" the Jaguars every Sunday though he refuses all accolades for their recent performance. 
 


Thank You From ECS for the Alhambra Event

     Just wanted to share this with you from one of our staff who won the "raffle"
for donated tickets for her and her husband.  We raffled off all "donated"
tickets by Rotary members and our board members to staff.  We had a couple of
teachers and other staff from Middleburg and Green Cove win the tickets.  They
all have thanked us profusely and had a wonderful evening!  Thanks again for
honoring ECS at the event!
Connie Stophel
  

Good Morning Connie,
      It was a pleasure to meet you & your husband last night at the Alhambra, even
though we only sat together for a short time. My husband and I had such an
enjoyable evening at the Alhambra.
      I just wanted you to know how appreciative I am, as an ESC employee, to have the
Rotary Club of South Jacksonville sponsor the event last night to benefit ECS. I
was unaware of how service oriented the Rotary Club is and last night opened my
eyes to what they do to help their community. 

     Could you please convey my thanks to the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville for
not only holding the benefit for ECS but also for providing the opportunity for
some of the ECS employee’s to enjoy the event. It was very kind of them and I
just wanted to make sure they know that their kindness was appreciated.
Have a great day ☺
Victoria Zaenglein
Program Assistant

 
Alhambra Event Pictures-We had a Great Time!