Next Week’s Program – ATF  – ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS…AND EXPLOSIVES…DON’T FORGET EXPLOSIVES….

Speaker – SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE JOHN TORRES

Chair of the Day – Tom Bauer, SCS

Invocation – Bobby Grieser

A word about our speaker…

John Torres is a native of Stockton, California where he attended local schools. From 1980 to 1984, Mr. Torres attended California State University Sacramento where he earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees, both in Criminal Justice.

In 1984, Mr. Torres accepted a position as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. He was promoted in 1990 to the position of Resident Agent in Charge in Arizona. In 1992, Mr. Torres was part of the ATF contingent that responded to assist the Los Angeles Police Department during the Los Angeles riots. Mr. Torres continued his ATF career as Program Manager in ATF Headquarters from 1993 to 1996. Then, in 1996 he was again promoted to the rank of Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles ATF office. In July 2000, Mr. Torres was promoted to the rank of Special Agent in Charge of the San Francisco Field Division.

In 2001, Mr. Torres was selected to ATF’s Senior Executive Service (SES) program. He successfully completed the SES Certification Program in 2003. Mr. Torres has attended executive development programs at the University of Virginia, Treasury Executives Institute and the Office of Personnel Management’s Executive Leadership Program. In 2004, Mr. Torres was recognized by the San Joaquin County Bar Association for “Protecting Our Liberties” and was presented with their annual award. In 2005 Mr. Torres was promoted to the SES Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division. In 2007 Mr. Torres received the annual Community Outreach Award from the Chinatown Public Safety Commission. Mr. Torres is a graduate of the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development program, class #59.

In 2008 Mr. Torres was selected as one of the few senior leaders to attend the Department of Homeland Security’s Principal Federal Official (PFO) symposium. This PFO position becomes enacted during events such as wildfires, earthquakes or other critical incidents. The PFO would act as the federal government’s representative to the state and local entities during the recovery efforts.

In October of 2008, Mr. Torres was the Incident Commander of ATF largest case in ATF history, “Operation Black Rain.” This operation targeted members of a violent outlaw motorcycle gang and as a result, over 1500 law enforcement officers arrested nearly 100 members of this gang and executed over 130 search warrants.

Notes from Meeting on December 6th- The meeting began with holiday cheer from the Salvation Army Band.

Then we had a lovely invocation from Captain Osei Stewart. Carl Martens gave us a history lesson on our song “Silver Bells.”

Doug Frost had the winning answer: Bing Crosby.

Suzie dressed down in her pj’s and curlers for the meeting since she has a FINE FREE badge this month. She even had a little ring a ling herself when her phone kept going off!

...but this is the regular size picture...for someone wearing pajamas...

Sending birthday wishes to John Kizer who ditched us this week so he owes us DOUBLE next week according to Scody!

As for guests, Bill Gibbs always surrounds himself with beautiful blondes! This week he had Lynn, Adrienne & Susie at his side! We had a wonderful marching band that serenading us with holiday tunes while we were eating. Captain Osei was accompanied by his lovely wife of 17 years, Captain Lynn, and they had Rosh Yadin to play their accompanying music.

Happy/Sad Bucks – Bruce Boland: wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and ‘God Bless Us One & All’ for New Year!

Stephen All: called from Lawrence Welk’s song after YouTube – please stay away from the village.

Bill Gibbs: I’m still here!! Ethel Merriman: Sorry she missed last week but had wonderful time on road trip to Omaha (3400 miles!!)

Drue Jordan: $5 broke leg but thanks to the miracle of medicine not using crutches or a boot!

Tom Bauer: thrilled to have a great group signed up for Interclub with Imperial Beach on 12/20 & watch out for Foundation Giving Letters!

Jay Jeffcoat: glad it’s not a letter bomb and happy to have the kids coming home for Christmas this year!

John Rush: Ya Chargers! Shaun McArdle: his daughter just turned 27 and decided to come back to Daddy in CA, it was too cold in WA.

Brian Krause: Aztec’s season 8-4 (his guess 10-2) & he put in $34 for birthday, although Charlie Coleman thought he was older than that!

Bruce Boland again?

Karina Sousa: taught her first Sunday School class, going to orphanage in Mexico & Santa Sousa next week!

We were happy to give Natalie Bradley her official square badge so she can get rid of her ugly one! She’s been very active, attended lots of meetings and came to us through StarPal.

Round badge did not match any outfits...

Salvation Army came to ask if anyone wants to be bell ringers! On December 17th, there will be a Bill Gibb’s bell ringing day! Fun fact: Bill Gibb’s rang his 1st bell in 1949 for the Salvation Army!

Chris Pare came to the podium to say Happy Holidays and pleased to be here to participate in presenting the check for our own counseling program which started 30 years ago and has had dramatic effect on counseling program in the San Diego District (which is the 2nd largest in CA!). With the recent budget crisis, the counseling programs need funds now more than ever. Our club helps support the elementary counselors, provide curriculum for preventative work with kids at the elementary level, show the kids demonstrations of counselors work, and so much more which Melissa Janiks explained and who received the $2,000 check.

Charlie Coleman talked about next Thursday & Friday is Rady Children’s Hospital Radiothon – Charlie Coleman, Jeannie Hurwitz & June Prewitt are signed up and there may be a few time slots available! If you are interested, contact Charlie Coleman.

Karina Sousa asked for donations for the family the Young Professionals adopted this year! We raised over $500 (thanks to you!!!) and will be having a wrapping party this Friday, December 9th at Tim Callan’s Crib at 555 Front Street at 5:30pm if you want to help! The gifts will be given to the family next week!

Judy Leitner announced that MTS & the Food Bank are working together to STUFF THAT BUS and help fulfill the tremendous holiday food demand! To see more info, visit the MTS or Food Bank website. Scody Hage reminded us you can easily pick up pre-made bags from Vons!

President Corrine read some beautiful thank you letters from the Armed Services Y, the Food Bank (aka Scody Hage) and Reality Changers.

The Joker:  Jay Jeffcoat was an ACE & Charlie Coleman was jealous so he was an ACE too! Both went home with $10 (not $1). No one has any idea what the pot is up to.

Coley’s Flowers: Bill Gibbs of course won the flowers before we even bid! He gave them to his lovely blonde squad for their office!

The Chairman of the Day was Captain Osei Stewart who has been with our club since December 2008 and has been working with the Salvation Army for 4 years! We love it when he and his talented wife, Captain Lynn Stewart come sing holiday songs with their exquisite voices. The tunes of Winter Wonderland and other classics put us all in the holiday spirit! We also heard from Mayor Lee Lescano who reminded us of all the amazing things Salvation Army does and how just one gift can truly make a difference to these families that are really struggling this year!

Announcements

- December 15th: Club Board Meeting – 7:30am Burn Institute

- December 15th: Holiday Party at Cygnet Theater – 2011_HolidayParty_2 -

- December 16th: Radiothon – Rady’s Children’s Hospital – Contact Charlie Coleman

- December 20th: No luncheon at the Bristol but join us for an Interclub at the Imperial Beach Boys & Girls Club at 12:00 – Poinsettia Bowl Kickoff Luncheon USS Midway!

- December 21st: Division Council Meeting – National City House of Pancakes – 6:00pm

- December 28th: Holiday Bowl - $75 pick seat – June has sign-up sheet