Our guest this week will be Tom Kealey, Director of the Idaho Department of Commerce. Tom is a member of Governor Little’s cabinet, oversees all agency operations and is the Chief Economic Development and Marketing Officer for the State of Idaho. Its an exciting time for Idaho, fastest growing state in the US!

Thankfully, we have identified two host families for Ken.  The Nielsens stepped up to host on an interim basis November-January, and another family plans to have Ken for the rest of the year. However, we'd appreciate identifying a backup family or someone willing to host for weekends if the host family has prior family plans.  We'd also like to identify a few Club members to volunteer to help drive or take Ken out for a few fun excursion/outings.  This would be helpful and rewarding to spend a little time with Ken.  Please let John or Cornelia know if you can help in either way. Thanks!  

Next Saturday is our monthly Greenbelt clean-up. Bring a bag of daffodil bulbs for planting! Meet at Ling and Louies at 11:00.

For the next two weeks, we'll do a food drive for Women United for their annual Holiday Helper event. They'll make up care packages for homeless teens. Please bring tuna pouches, peanut butter, or other protein rich foods. You can also contribute money - make checks payable to United Way of Treasure Valley. Thanks for your gererosity!

Our speaker last week was Jan Roeser, Economist for the Idaho Labor Department. We learned a lot: about the mining industry and early lbor unions.......Harry Orchard who assassinated the Governor......in Idaho, unions represent only 5.5% of the workforce, lowest in the PNW.........Ag is less seasonal than it was due to more dairies........the Idaho county with the lowest unemployment is Madison, home of BYU and a Temple........Micron project will need 4000 skilled workers! Look for man camps and RV parks......We need more bodies!......if you love statistics, this was for you!

Last Thursday was World Polio Day! Its been a difficult year for Polio so far, with numbers increasing. For example, there have been 39 cases reportedin Pakistan so far this year, and 22 in Afghanistan. Those are the only two endemic countries. Sadly, there have been cases reported in Gaza and the 3rd phase of  their vaccine program had to be postpoined dues to increasing violence.

Last Thursday a team of Rotarians met at Zoo Boise to carve 26 pumpkins for the Boo at the Zoo event this weekend. After the event, the pumpkins will be given to the animals as part of their "enrichment" program. Some will eat them, some will just play! Ian Wallace, our outbound exchange student to France in 2017, and Ken, our current inbound from Taiwan, joined us!

After-Hours Event Opportunities comng up.  These are free to attend.  5-7 PM. Our members are welcome to attend, mingle, and spread the word about what a great Rotary club we have!