Back in the 1970s in Fresno County, California, “The Raisin Capital of the World” had heavy rains just as its grapes were lying out to dry resulting in thousands of tons of soggy, rotting raisins. A major cereal company that used raisins in its products suddenly had to spend millions finding a new supply. Later that year, a vice president for the company was put in charge of finding an advisor to warn them ahead of time if weather disasters would threaten their bottom line.

He found Dr. Iben Browning, a scientist with degrees in physics, math, chemistry and a Ph.D. in biology. Dr. Browning was one of the CIA’s top scientists, able to coordinate scientists and scientific disciplines. However, his real passion was weather and the new discipline of climatology. The company gave Browning a contract and the business was born and has been providing accurate 3-24 month climate forecasts for over 40 years.

James Garriss is the third generation of the Browning family to continue the business. Although legally blind, James has developed a knowledge base and presentation style that is as impressive as it is inspiring. As the third generation of his family in the business, James began his career with Browning Media when he was four years old, photocopying jet stream maps from the stacks of the University of New Mexico libraries. After obtaining his graduate degree, he has now been a partner in the business for more than 6 years and is leading a new direction in historical climatology, bringing a fresh economic perspective.

James is hired to speak around the world to agriculture, finance, mining and other industries that are effected by changing weather patterns. Recent appearances include Nomura Investment Forum Asia, Singapore; Le Club B, Hamburg, Germany &Toronto, Canada; Sabey Data Corporation, Herndon, Virginia; Juice Producers Association, Sanibel Harbour, Florida; Cowboy Hall of Fame, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Texas Southwest Cattle Ranchers Association, Ft. Worth, Texas; Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; CLSA Investor’s Forum, Hong Kong, London, New York; P. Allen Smith Garden2Blog, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Dear Rotarians,

For my penultimate President Message, I thought I would provide you with my last lyrical riddle – as always with a poignant meaning (at least to me!):

I turn my back to the wind to catch my breath,
Before I start off again, driven on,
Without a moment to spend, to pass an evening with a drink and a friend,
I let my skin get too thin, I’d like to pause no matter what I pretend,
Like some pilgrim who learns to transcend,
Learns to live as if each step was the end

Freeze this moment a little bit longer!
Make each sensation a little bit stronger!
Make each impression a little bit stronger!
Freeze this motion a little bit longer!I turn my face to the sun, close my eyes, let my defenses down,

I turn my face to the sun, close my eyes, let my defenses down,
All those wounds that I can’t get unwound,
I let my past go too fast, no time to pause,
If I could slow it all down! Like some captain, whose ship runs aground,
I can wait until the tide comes around

Time stand still!
I’m not looking back but I want to look around me now
Time stands still!
See more of the people and the places that surround me nowSummer’s going fast, nights growing colder,

Summer’s going fast, nights growing colder,
Children growing up, old friends growing older,
Freeze this moment a little bit longer!
Make each sensation a little bit stronger!

Experience slips away
The innocence slips away

David Thorson
President 2016 -2017
Las Vegas Rotary Club

• President David Thorson called the meeting to order.
• Bob Fisher gave the invocation. Sidra Kain led the club in singing the National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Sergeant-at-Arms was Janelle Lozano.
• There were (0) International Rotarian, (2) Visiting Rotarians, and (5) Guests of Rotarians that were introduced.
• The drawing began at $8,414.00 plus this week’s donations. The winner gets half the pot and half goes to the Las Vegas Rotary Foundation. Ticket Winner: Anil Melnich who won $10! Lawry Bucks Winner: Steven Kwon.
• President David Thorson reminded the members of our $2 million goal and encouraged everyone to assist in achieving this goal. He also announced that there is a board meeting on June 15, 2017, Club Assembly is on June 29, 2017 (with prime rib) and he read a thank you note from Opera Las Vegas expressing their appreciation for our recent grant to the program.
• Min Jun, our sponsored foreign exchange student from South Korea shared a video presentation of his adventures with his host family from Mesquite, NV.
• Deb Granda inducted new member, Doug Grant, into the club. Sarah Brown was present as his sponsor.
• Pam Lang of Spread the Word Nevada has provided 21,309 books to their students and their families through our sponsorship at Beckley. She was presented with a $25,000 grant to continue the program in 2017-2018.
• Shannon Brown, principal from Beckley expressed how important our support has been to the evolution of their school and encouraged more members to become mentors during the next school year.
• Past President Karen Whisenhunt announced that she is working with The Wheel Chair Foundation to provide wheel chairs to people in need. Let her know if you have a candidate that is in need.
• Deb Granda announced that the next new member orientation will be held at her home on June 27, 2017.
• Past President Mary Ann Avnet reminded the club that President David Thorson’s debunking part will be held in the Antilles Ballroom at Treasure Island on June 22, 2017.
• Erik Astramecki announced that the Alpine Picnic will be held at Past President Tom Thomas’s ranch on July 22, 2017.
• Past President Ginger Anderson announced that the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City is going to be on August 25, 2017.
• The guest speaker was Clark Dumont, Sr. VP and Chief of Staff to the Chairman and COE of MGM Resorts International. He discussed the importance of both the guest and the employee experience within the organization. He also spoke about the ways in which the company is targeting millennials. He broke down the revenue percentages as well, stating gaming is no longer the focus of consumer contribution with gaming being only 34% of revenue. Hotel revenue comes in at 28%, food and beverage is 23% and the remaining 15% is entertainment, retail and other outlets.
• President David Thorson presented the speaker with the Sole Power Award and adjourned the meeting.