We all know of the recent uproar over building the new skate park in the grass bowl at Rotary Park. That was put to a dead stop by the seniors in Lake Havasu once again trying to stop progress in turning our city into a thriving tourist community. I don’t understand what their problem is sometimes; this town has always been a popular tourist site! We at multiple points had MTV down here filming our channel because of how much fun people had and for some reason they could not handle it. It started with the regulating of the channel, and is now at stopping the skate park in Rotary Park and the dirt track out at Sara Park. When will they wake up and realize this town is going to blow up with or without them. The moving in of the college, the new bridge in Kingman going to Las Vegas, it is happening all around you. This economy is too hard right now for you to be holding back progress. I understand you are on fixed incomes, well some of us should be so lucky to get a guaranteed pay check! We need the money back in this town and that means to bring it here so quit fighting tooth and nail against it. I can’t believe I have to say this to people at you age but grow up!

– Anonymous Youth In Havasu

Chris Rolando: Every time you turn around there seems to be another reason to buy a gift. If you are like the majority of people out there, these gifts end up coming from China. Now no slight at all to China, or people who sell things manufactured there, but if you live along the River, aside from a lot of plasticware from Sterilite, there SEEMS to be darn few things made here thus, by default, our dollars head across the Pacific. But for a moment, lets open our eyes a bit wider and look around at what IS manufactured here. (If you are on any gift list of mine, stop reading here or you will spoil the surprise for 2012). What can you give as a gift that is from here? Here are just a few ideas and I hope you will add to the list:

• We all see the lake, but how many people ever get on it? You’d be surprised. A one day boat rental makes an incredible gift.
• How many people would not love to have someone else clean the windows on their house? Imagine how happy they would be when someone shows up to do just that.
• When was the last time your family had a portrait sitting? Amazing how fast things change, but a gift certificate for a new family portrait would make a great gift.
• A few tons of rock for the front or back yard? Seriously, who couldn’t use a few more rocks to spread around?
• There are so many great restaurants in this area. Wouldn’t anyone appreciate a gift certificate for a night out!
• Who does not like having their car cleaned or detailed for them? A gift certificate to a car wash or auto detailer makes a great gift.
• Know someone who likes to sit by the fire in their back yard? Ever thought of having some firewood delivered?

Wow, I guess there ARE a lot of things manufactured right here and available for all of to to choose from as gifts. Kinda gives a whole new angle to Shop local doesn’t it? Got more ideas for this
list? Leave em for everyone by going to Twounce.com!

My Dad always taught me that you could often judge a person’s character on how they reacted during difficult times. It’s no secret that this current economy has been the most challenging for many of us within our lifetime. Most of us who are self-employed find ourselves working twice as hard for a lot less money. Many people have had to let their homes go back to the banks and default on their financial obligations for no other reason than there is no business out there to sustain their households. Unemployment is hovering around 10% and if you factor in part-time jobs and the inability to find new work, the actual number is closer to 16%. Our government did a great job of bailing out banks and corporations at the taxpayer’s expense, but has done little to nothing in helping out the small business owner. With an impotent Congress and incompetent President, the consensus is that we’ll have to live through these times for at least another year to see what happens after the next election. For many, it’s simply a matter of hanging on. And just when you think things are really bad, you realize that despite tough economic times, we still live in Disneyland.

Last month, I was reminded of how fortunate we are when I made my annual trip to the dusty border town of San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico with the Lake Havasu High School’s Interact club and a handful of International Rotarians. The purpose of the trip was to feed and clothe over 800 men, women and children. Like most worthy causes in life, there’s generally one person behind the scenes who leads these efforts. In this case, it’s a man who I have come to admire and respect for his endless deeds of service to help those less fortunate. A man I have come to know as Bob Moreno.

I first met Bob at his annual Rotary Fish-Fry Fundraiser held at Shugrues’ about four years ago to raise money to help those less fortunate. I was amazed to find out how many tickets were sold at this event and the endless lines of people who gathered for a great meal and incredible cause. I also found out that the fish was personally caught by Bob Moreno and his wife Betty, in the northern Pacific, and prepared by Bob and a group of volunteers. In the little time that I observed Bob Moreno at my first fish-fry fundraiser, I knew that our paths had crossed for a reason and that I was going to get to know this man better.

Bob Moreno was born in Long Beach, California 72 years ago. His family moved to San Francisco where Bob began working in his family’s restaurant at the age of 7. Upon graduating high school, Bob joined the United States Marine Corps where he flew Huey helicopters in the Vietnam War. After the war, he became a successful businessman in many different trades.

Bob came from a tight-knit family and had the good fortune of being raised by two loving parents, who taught him their family heritage, culture and respective languages. He became multi-lingual which not only served him well in business, but in his tireless efforts to spread his humanitarianism across international borders.

Bob Moreno has had an amazing life and at the age of 72, you would think he would be slowing down. But with his vigor and zest, you quickly realize that he’s just beginning. Bob’s working life spans over 6 decades as he’s been a restaurateur, a U.S. Marine and combat veteran, Police Officer, International Flight Captain (767), Private Investigator, Outdoorsman, Civil Engineer, Developer, Counselor, Rotarian, Catholic Deacon, Husband and Father. But more importantly than his impressive resume is the love and generosity in which Bob has given back to his fellow human beings.Lake Havasu City is proud to call Bob one of their own and I’m proud to know that it’s people like Bob that make our world a better place.