The Wheel for May 10, 2018
Listen to John Entsminger – Las Vegas Valley Water District
The Wheel
John Entsminger – Las Vegas Valley Water District
John Entsminger is the general manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District, which serves nearly 380,000 customer accounts, and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which is responsible for providing water to local agencies that collectively serve 2 million residents and 40 million annual visitors. Prior to taking the helm of these agencies in early 2014, Entsminger was instrumental in the development of several groundbreaking regional and international water agreements. He has been appointed by Governor Sandoval to serve as Nevada’s lead negotiator on Colorado River matters. Active in several national water associations, Entsminger serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and of the Water Research Foundation.
Message From The President
Thanks to our club’s long-standing connection with John Williams and the Wheelchair Foundation (and the help of PP Karen Whisenhunt), we were able to purchase and distribute twenty (20) wheelchairs to the Las Vegas community. This joint project between Channel 8, the Wheelchair Foundation and our club saw us distribute:
- 9 Chairs to Easter Seals as they had their offices broken into and lost everything (Fun fact: Easter Seals was started by Rotarians)
- 4 Chairs to the Salvation Army
- 4 Chairs to Veterans Village
- 1 Chair to First Person Care Clinic
- 1 Chair to a senior center (Bill Stieren)
- 1 Chair to an individual in need (PP Brock Fraser)
Michael Gordon
95th President
Rotary Club of Las Vegas
Member Highlights
Our speaker Len Jessup presented Michelle Quizon with our Centennial Medallion for her amazing achievements as a UNLV graduate.
Our Sergeant At Arms Doug Grant exchanged Banners with a visiting Rotarian.
PP Dave Thorson reminded us Michael’s debunking on June 28th.
At Michael’s head table was Michelle Quizon, Carolyn Sparks and UNLV President Dr. Len Jessup.
Carolyn Sparks poses with Michelle Quizon who shared membership in the same Sorority.
May’s birthday table included Rod Tucker, Carey Grohs, an infiltrator Francesca Gilbert and David Squier.
Dan Adamson joined President Michael with God Bless America.
President Michael fined Dale Sprague $95 in recognition of him firing a hole in one.
Bill Stieren started the meeting with the invocation.
PEE Jackie Thornhill was excited to draw for the Joker and the pot.
PE Jim Kohl presented a check for $1,000 to the Coral Academy of Science.
Dr. Walt Rulffes was recognized for his hard work when he served as CCSD Superintendent.
President Michael presents our speaker Len Jessup with our Share What you Can Award.
PP Mary Ann Avnet presented a make up flag from the Daneville NJ club to President Michael.
We were glad to see a previous member Bruce Quinn visit us.
Sergeant At Arms Doug Grant won the Lawry Bucks.
Deb Granda presented her check and other member checks totaling $6,500 in memory of her deceased husband Bill.
hard-work
Scribe – May 3, 2018
- President Michael Gordon called the meeting. Bill Stieren gave the invocation. Dan Adamson led the club in singing God Bless America, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sergeant at Arms was Doug Grant.
- There were (0) International Rotarians, (2) visiting Rotarians and (3) Guests of Rotarians and two others “checking out our club for membership consideration” introduced.
- The head table included Carolyn Sparks and our program speaker Dr. Len Jessup. The club members at the Birthday Table were recognized.
- Feedback of events included: Jerry Engel reporting a fun New Member Orientation of Chan Lam, Diane Clary and Andy Kuniyuki; encouragement by President Michael to spread the word about our club highlighted in the latest edition of The Rotarian Magazine; an exchange of club banners by PP Mary Ann Avnet showing the Danville New Jersey Club banner she received; Ted McAdam reminded club members there are 6 seats available for the Creech AFB tour set for May 29th; PP Karen Whisenhunt announced there are 80 golfers signed up for the Putting Tournament on May 6th and more golfers and sponsors are welcome; PP Dave Thorson reminded members the debunking party for President Michael will be held on June 28th and on June 2nd airmen are being treated to see the Lights FC game, by the Club and the USO, with donations of tickets for $18/seat, (with the USO making up the difference in what is needed vs what is raised) with a tailgate party before the game.
- PE Jim Kohl on behalf of the LV Rotary Club and his firm, presented a check for $1,000 to the Coral Academy of Science and its representative John; Deb Granda made a very personal and touching presentation to the LVRF of a personal check for $2,500 in honor of her late husband, Bill Granda, and announced additional donations have been made in Bill’s name and honor, bringing the donation to a total of $6,500
- President Michael auctioned off authentic Golden Knights items, including a signed cap and puck, which were won by Erik Astramecki for $200.
- The weekly drawing began at $1,821 plus this week’s donations. The ticket winner was PEE Jackie Thornhill who won $10 and the Lawry’s Bucks winner was Doug Grant.
- Carolyn Sparks introduced our speaker program, Dr. Len Jessup, former President of UNLV, who provided a very information and positive message of the growth and state of UNLV, breaking the 30,000 number of students in the school’s 60 years, that it received over $70 million in research grants last year, all without the Medical School, that the medical school started last year with 60 students, all attending on full ride scholarships, and the various ways UNLV is moving to reach ‘top tier’ status and its corresponding economic impact on our community. Dr. Jessup also discussed how the Golden Knights and the Raiders have impacted the community, focusing on UNLV, including the Knights arranging for installation of a new sheet of ice and locker room for UNLV’s club hockey team and how the construction of Raider Stadium will include provisions for UNLV to play at the stadium when it opens in 2020 without any additional cost to the school, other than paying for its own costs, i.e., vendors, parking attendants etc.
- President Michael and Dr. Jessup made a very special presentation to Michelle Quizon, the Nevada Centennial Medallion Recipient, an amazing and quite accomplished young woman indeed. Michelle received one of the limited number of last edition silver dollars, minted in Nevada, that our club purchased in the 1960s, which was set in/displayed in a beautiful State of Nevada plexiglass form.
- President Michael Gordon presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit a veteran in need and then adjourned the meeting.