PRESIDENT DOT welcomed us to the meeting. We enjoyed a buffet of Pot Roast and Turkey with lots of other vegetables as options to accompany. DANIEL ALLEN led the Pledge and song, “God Bless America” in A cappella. We sounded pretty good!
MITCH PISIK offered the inspiration. Why the Rotary Club of Tucson? We do the right thing, at the right time and in the right way.
DAN KALM welcomed lots of guests from Dove Mountain Rotary who were selling their color changing mugs. The mugs have a lovely desert scene that is only visible when hot liquid is in the mug. Visit DoveMountainRotary.org for more information.
DOT introduced our Cookie Sponsor, Charlotte Harris. Charlotte highlighted the riders for El Tour de Tucson who are riding to End Polio and encouraged all to sponsor a rider. Those who did the indoor ride and those who will be riding El Tour de Tucson were wearing their Rotary jersey and stood to be recognized.
JONATHAN ROTHSCHILD introduced our speaker. He encouraged all of us to spend a morning at Criminal Court downtown and said that it may change our perspective. Hon. Danelle Liwski is the Presiding Judge for Pima County. She is in charge of all of the courts to include: Civil, Criminal, Juvenile and Probate Court. In 2021, there were a total of 25,502 court cases in Pima County. So far this year, there has been 29,513. Of the 10,000+ Civil cases in 2024, 30 went to a jury trial. Of the 6,000 Criminal cases in 2025, 103 have gone to a jury trial. Settling out of trial is typically a good thing so long as both parties are unhappy, she said. When both parties are unhappy, that typically means that both got some but not all of what they wanted and is the best sign of a good compromise. Family court is the most difficult as often the Judge only has the two parties and their “word” to decide the outcome. She said that often in Juvenile court, it’s just kids being kids. Probate court cases will grow as more baby boomers pass away and then will shrink as many have passed. Judge Liwski was given the book “All Rise! At the Courthouse” to sign for the Make Way for Books Library.
A few were celebrating their birthdays. RICKY HUNLEY was celebrating his birthday and said spending time with the Rotary Club of Tucson was like being in another locker room. We’re all family here. He said that his Mom used to call him at 12:01am to wish him a happy birthday and he had better answer the call. MARGARET HIGGINS just returned from a great trip to Australia. We had a group sigh as she didn’t have a joke to tell. Finally, ROB SAME was celebrating his birthday. Something that we didn’t know about him is that he was born with a twin sister who passed away. She reminds him that life is a gift!
MARK IRVIN introduced Colonel JOSE CABRERA as an Honorary Member of our Club. “CA” CABRERA is the Wing Commander at Davis Monthan Airforce Base (DMAFB). We were told that they have an upcoming event called the “Cookie Crunch” where people can donate store bought and homemade cookies to the airmen at DMAFB who will not be able to return home for the holidays.
MITCH PISIK introduced DANIEL ALLEN as a new member. DANIEL has been in Tucson for about one year. He’s ran 10 marathons in his life, is an author, business coach and won the 2025 Tucson Classics Car Show Corvette! Super sweet and congrats, DANIEL!
MARGARET HIGGINS presented a blue badge to KENT BURBANK. Nice work KENT!
CHARLOTTE HARRIS presented a Paul Harris Award to Patrick Murphy who is the nephew of member JIM MURPHY. PATRICK grew up in Bisbee and while he no longer lives there, he’s on the Board the Friends of Warren Ballpark which is the original Field of Dreams in Bisbee, AZ. Congrats to PATRICK!
DAN KALM drew the winning card for the 25/50/25 Raffle and the winner was DIANA MADARAS….again! I think DIANA does a whole lot of good in our community and karma is paying her back, one raffle drawing at a time.
We had a few announcements:
- PRESIDENT DOT reminded us to check the upcoming Events on our tables or on our website.
- 12/3 the Univ. of Arizona President will be speaking to our club. You must sign up online to attend.
- 12/11 the Holiday Mixer will be at GEORGE LARSEN’S Car Cave. Save the Date!
- GARY HIRSCH talked about the Ride to End Polio. Since the start of El Tour de Tucson, 63% of all the money raised for non-profit organizations has been for the Ride to End Polio.
- DARRELL STEWART let us know that the award outside of Rotary General Secretary John Hewko’s office has been renamed to the GARY M. HIRSCH AWARD for all that GARY has done for the Ride to End Polio. Congrats and well-deserved GARY!
- MARK IRVIN’S Happy Jackson was to let us know that the Desert Thunder Squadron has an ongoing program going for DMAFB Airmen who are about to retire. The program is intended to give the Airmen a better footing and preparation for the day they are no longer in active duty.
PRESIDENT DOT summarized the meeting and MITCH PISIK offered the closing toast “Look to your left, look to your right and congratulations on knowing such cool people.”
