VOL. 61, No. 42, August 9, 2007

We had an excellent meeting today - many guests. Al Renz introduced Casey Jones and Richard Surles. I think they are in the bottling business. Jim Roe's guests were Carl and Nan Case. They hail from Seattle and have been in Huntsville about 10 years. He is retired from Boeing and she is working part time. James Pepper was the guest of member and once president of our club, Gay. James has moved his business into the city and plans to become a member of our club. Counting guests, we had over 30 present today.

Pres. Sidney Sandridge asked V. P. Byrom Goodwin to give the invocation and lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Gov. Tom Casteel said things are shaping up well for the District Convention at the Huntsville Airport Sheraton August 16-19. Many valuable door prizes have been collected, so try to attend as many events as you can. I can almost guarantee a door prize - everyone registering will for sure get a red Bill-Heard cap. Someone at the registration desk will stamp your parking ticket so there will be no cost for that. Details on the Convention can be found at huntsville.alms-optimists.org. Tom especially urges ladies to join the botanical garden tour that has been arranged for the International Vice President's wife on Saturday.

Duane Plank introduced today's speaker, Shannon Belew. Shannon has a strong entrepreneurial background in marketing. She has written articles for The Huntsville Times, and is probably most famous for her publication in the popular Dummies series. Starting an On-Line Business for Dummies is her over 900-page book. She talked at length about what steps have to be taken from idea to final publication, and it's formidable. Right now she's working on a 2nd business book as well as a murder mystery. Thanks, Duane for scheduling Shannon for us.

Joe Pullen won the attendance prize. John Shirey said it's time to contact middle school band directors for their needs now that school has started. George Ferrell passed around a newspaper containing a description of our band instrument program written by Al Renz. I understand that the first band director to participate in our program, Al Weinberg at Westlawn, applied for a similar position in Meridianville and was there for several years. Now he has become assistant principal at Butler. His band members have always displayed excellent musicianship, enthusiasm and discipline. How to go Al!

CALENDAR

August 16		Thursday		11:45 am		Optimist Recreation Center		Business Meeting
August 16-19						Airport Sheraton		AL-MS District Convention
August 23		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Terry Davis (County Schools)
August 23		Thursday				Von Braun Center		Chamber of Commerce Meeting
August 30		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Steve Ragsdale (Bridge Street)
Carl W.