ONE HEALTHY DOGGIE

RI CONVENTION OPENS IN ENGLAND

At a special appearance at the opening plenary session of the 2009 RI Convention in Birmingham, England, on 21 June, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Rotarians for their work in advancing social justice.

Speaking to a packed hall, Ban called Rotary the heart and soul of the worldwide polio eradication effort and pledged the UN's continued cooperation and support.

"Rotary's vision of a polio-free world is in sharp focus," the secretary-general said. "I am with you in this campaign.

"Now is the time to finish the job. I call on global governments all around the world to help us," he continued. "Together, we can fulfill Rotary's vision and give future generations a polio-free world."

More than 14,900 attendees from 154 countries and geographical areas are convening in Birmingham for the 100th RI Convention. It is the second RI Convention for Birmingham, which hosted its first in 1984.

Ban's appearance demonstrates the close ties maintained by Rotary and the UN , which date back to 1945, when Rotarians helped draft the UN Charter. Ban said his appreciation for Rotary has deepened since he became secretary-general.

"I am deeply convinced the UN can continue to count on you to keep doing your part. One of the hallmarks of this new multinationalism is collaboration -- all partners must work together," he said. "And nothing will better convince the world that we can succeed than through completing the effort to eradicate polio."

Ban also asked Rotarians for their help in addressing other global challenges, including climate change, hunger, and a lack of access to energy.

RI President Dong Kurn Lee, a personal friend of Ban's, also took the stage.

Lee talked about how a business trip to Africa sparked his commitment to reducing child mortality. During that trip, he said, he was escorted to a village of mud huts by a local Rotarian. From one of the huts, he heard a cry, then saw a mother and child dying of hunger.

"At that moment, in my shock and horror, I wanted to do anything -- anything at all -- to help that mother and child," Lee said. "But then I realized that I was looking in only one hut, in only one village, in only one country, of the many, many poor and developing countries in the world.

"That was when I resolved to do everything I could to reduce the rate of child mortality and to Make Dreams Real ," he said.

Noting that the child mortality rate has dropped 27 percent in the past decade, Lee said he is certain Rotarians will continue the work and keep "making this great Rotary dream of a polio-free world into a reality."

The opening plenary session also included an East Meets West celebration that featured a variety of entertainment, including a reenactment of a royal court procession followed by the Little Angels children's choir, who sang "Greensleeves" in Korean and English, and a martial arts demonstration by the Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain.

SOME TIPS FOR SOCIAL NETWORKERS

When Bryan Rutberg first appeared on Facebook last December, he joined millions of other boomers, who are the fastest growing users of social networking web sites.

A month later, the 47-year-old tech industry executive became a victim of a scam that is increasingly occurring on websites like Facebook, MySpace and class reunion sites.

On Jan. 21, Rutberg discovered his Facebook page had been hacked with this alarming message: BRYAN IS IN URGENT NEED OF HELP! He tried to access his page to remove the warning, but his password had been changed. When he tried to alert his friends from his wife’s Facebook account that he was OK, he says, the scammer had “de-friended” her, blocking any messages he sent. Meanwhile, Rutberg’s Facebook friends who had posted “what’s wrong?” messages were getting replies from the hacker, who posed as Rutberg and claimed that he had been robbed in London and needed money to get home.

One concerned friend, Beny Rubinstein, wired $1,200 overseas, which the trickster quickly collected. In e-mail exchanges, the hacker had provided enough personal details to convince Rubinstein he was Rutberg. “If you’re looking to impersonate someone, Facebook is a good place to start,” Rutberg says. “My page has the names and photographs of my wife, kids, parents, friends, where I went to high school and college—all kinds of personal information.”

With such details readily posted, identity thieves “are clearly investing time and resources on social networks,” says Ryan Naraine of Kaspersky Lab, an online security firm.

A common ruse: tricking users into downloading a program that records their keystrokes. It’s likely that Rutberg inadvertently downloaded one such program, providing his Facebook e-mail and password to the identity thief.

One common virus on social networks is called Koobface (from the word “Facebook”), which infects computers when a “video” link is clicked. It can steal personal data and also prompt users to download an updated version of Adobe Flash. “By clicking on that link, it attempts to trick you into buying fake antivirus software for $30,” Naraine says.

Facebook spokesman Barry Schnitt says that in five years, less than 1 percent of 200 million users had “security issues.” He says his company has bolstered its efforts to respond quickly to such problems. However, Facebook provides no phone contact number for members, and Rutberg says e-mails to Facebook reporting his hacking went unanswered for several days.

To avoid problems on social networks—or anywhere else online:

• Don’t click on links provided in messages—even from friends—unless you check them with a phone call or off-website e-mail.

• Get program updates by going to the company’s website, not through a provided link.

• Make your Facebook account private so that only friends can see your details.

• Scan your computer regularly with an updated antivirus program

• Be suspicious of anyone—even a “friend”—who asks for money over the Internet.

Report suspicious activity on social networks to that website and to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

SAVE A BUCK, OR FOUR

f you have a Bank of America ATM, credit or debit card, use it for free access to more than 100 museums, zoos and science centers on the first full weekend of each month.

The bank’s popular Museums on Us program, now in its 12th year, was expanded in April to 26 states and the District of Columbia. Included are over 40 more cultural attractions than in 2008, including such large institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

To find a participating facility near you, go to museums.bankofamerica.com. Each cardholder who shows a valid photo ID is entitled to free general admission—but not to special exhibits or ticketed shows.

THE BOARD DEBATES

KIDS LUV 'EM

We’ve been enjoying Gummy Bears (and all kinds of other gummy candy) at ball parks and movie theaters for over a quarter of a century. Originating in Germany, where the items are hugely popular, the little bears were brought to the States by the German company Haribo under the name “Gold-Bear.” Trolli followed suit with a knock-off version, but they had their own innovative moment in 1981, when they were the first to introduce the gummy worm; it became a mainstay for the candy in its own right. The bears and worms can usually be found in raspberry or cherry, orange, lemon, pineapple strawberry and lime. Other gummies eventually hit the market in a wide variety of shapes, from frogs, to hamburgers, cola bottles, sharks, and even tinier little bears. They also come in a wider variety of flavors including extra sour versions available to suit all confectionery palates. In 1985, the Walt Disney Company jumped aboard the gummy madness with their own interpretation, Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears. Despite the similar name, the bears had very little resemblance to the candy that inspired it. To their credit, they were, at least, each a different color, and able to bounce (not unlike the bear-shaped treat) on their bottoms. Whether you’re watching them on TV, or eating them by the handful, one-by-one, on top of your ice cream or throwing them at the rude guy talking during the movie, gummies truly are classic childhood chewables.

TODAY IN HISTORY

1945:After 83 days of fighting, American troops capture the island of Okinawa in the Pacific campaign’s last crucial amphibious battle of WWII.

1940: American correspondent William Shirer witnesses Adolf Hitler’s great triumph as France signs an armistice with Germany in the same railroad car used for the signing of the World War I armistice.

AND I QUOTE

"I can resist anything but temptation."-Oscar Wilde

ROTARY CONVENTION ONLINE

From 18 to 25 June, get a glimpse of Rotary's international spirit of fellowship and humanitarian service through the online coverage of the RI Convention and preconvention events, including articles, photos, and videos. Also read what Mia Farrow, Jane Goodall, and others say at the plenary sessions and other events.

The convention, which takes place 21-24 June in Birmingham, England, celebrates the accomplishments of the family of Rotary.

New this year, get convention updates on RI's social networking sites.

Key speeches from Rotary leaders and reports from the treasurer and general secretary will be available online during and immediately after the convention.

Be a part of Rotary's biggest event, the RI Convention.

BASEBALL BAT TRICK

PEOPLE BEING PEOPLE

Competitive facial hair At the biennial World Beard and Moustache Championships in May in Anchorage, Alaska, four local heroes "defeated" the usually dominant German contingent in the 18-category pageant, including overall champ David Traver of Girdwood, Alaska, whose woven chin hair suggests a long potholder. Said Traver, of the Germans, "They were humble, and you have to respect that." One defending champ, Jack Passion of Los Angeles, fell short with his navel-length red hair, despite having authored "The Facial Hair Handbook" after his 2007 victory. Traver acknowledged that no money was at stake (only trophies and "bragging rights"), but added that there are "a lot of ladies" who fawn over men's facial hair. "Seriously, they exist."

U.S.A. ROADSIDE LANDMARKS

Certain folks were quick to catch on to the Automobile Age's equation of commerce: Anything on the side of the highway is a form of mass communication. If you add products or services to sell, the sum total might just be big profits. These people were the first on the new roadside scene. They learned, just like in the movies, that if you build it, they will come. Better put, they might come. These pioneers honed their drive-by propaganda skills over the years, crafting advertising carefully concealed as outlandish art. Others possessed particularly clever schemes and built (and, in some cases, continue to build) something so bold and so different that it was an attraction in itself. They didn't depend on their creation to sell something -- it sold itself and lured in hordes with money to spend.­When communities realized this was the case, they often got in on the act, with local governments authorizing the construction of a work of public art that was excessive in one way or another. Still others never cared about dollars and cents; they just wanted to make a statement. These people just wanted to build something that would tell everyone, "Yes, we were on the planet Earth for a spell. And we left our mark. There it is, on the side of the road." Whatever their motives, many people have worked their fingers to the bone creating lasting works of roadside Americana. And a road trip in the United States would lose a coat or two of its luster without their efforts. Sure, there are picturesque peaks, plunging canyons, wide-open spaces, and resort destinations, but the manufactured spectacle is a nice complement to the traditionally beautiful sights of nature. In a few instances, a particular roadside landmark has transcended its purpose and origins to become an American icon in the same league as the Empire State Building or the Grand Canyon. People all over the country and, in some cases, all over the world, know of them. Wall Drug. The Hollywood sign. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. These are all places that mark the end of the rainbow on a road trip, pots of gold next to which you just have to pose for a few photos.
These places are the things of childhood nostalgia. The mental image of the family at Wall Drug is cemented in many a brain right next to the trip to Yellowstone. Ultimately, the best roadside diversions are the ones that remain etched in your memory from the second you first lay eyes on them. In this article, you'll find some that rise to the top based on longevity, publicity, or just plain originality.
London Bridge: Lake Havasu City, Arizona
London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, was moved from England, where the bridge was sinking into the Thames. Learn about this attraction. After local authorities determined the old London Bridge, built in 1831, was sinking into the Thames River, the crumbling granite went up for auction as plans were drawn for a replacement. The winning bidder -- Lake Havasu City founder Robert McCulloch -- paid about $2.5 million for the old one, then shipped it to Long Beach, trucked it to Arizona, and rebuilt it over a manufactured lagoon as a tourist attraction. It was rededicated in 1971.
Hollywood Sign: Hollywood, California
The Hollywood sign in California is as famous as the many stars that live beneath its nine letters. Before it became an icon of impending celebrity to newcomers with stars in their eyes, the Hollywood sign, built in 1923, was a real estate promotion that actually read "Hollywoodland."
The last four letters didn't survive, but the first nine did -- albeit barely. By 1973, the sign was falling apart -- one "O" had toppled down the hill, and an arsonist had set fire to an "L" -- prompting a $250,000 reconstruction.
Mitchell Corn Palace: Mitchell, South Dakota
The Mitchell Corn Palace in South Dakota is decorated each year with thousands of bushels of corn. Mitchell, South Dakota, is "Corn Capital of the World," a designation backed up by this one-of-a-kind community center. Since 1921, locals have been decorating the outside of the turreted, czarist Russia-style palace with murals each year. But there's a twist: The medium is not paint, but thousands of bushels of corn and other South Dakota grains. After the annual fall harvest, pigeons devour the palace's second skin, leaving it to wait out the winter in the buff.
Tower Conoco Station: Shamrock, Texas
The Tower Conoco Station in Amarillo, Texas, is just one of many roadside landmarks on Route 66 that has closed its doors. Learn more here. Route 66 is not remembered as simply a conduit betwe­en Chicago and Los Angeles but as a passage to the heart of American cool. With the convertible top down and the sun-soaked beaches of paradise somewhere over the horizon, day-to-day life was temporarily forgotten in the rear-view mirror. Because the road snaked right through the heart of numerous cities and towns, the opportunities for fun were plentiful. The architectural style and roadside art of Route 66, such as the Tower Conoco Station, are now irrevocably linked to the image of 1950s and 1960s American cool, as all things retro are continually recycled into new and hip.
Now represented by a patchwork of interstates, two-laners, and decrepit stretches of asphalt, old Route 66 doesn't really exist, at least in the eyes of Congress or mapmakers. But it still exists for the nostalgic tourists -- an unusual mix of bikers, travelers, and RVers -- who stick as close as possible to the roads that were once Route 66 and see the old sights that have withstood the test of time, as well as the ones that haven't.

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

The Wii Bowling Ball: The Most Dangerous Wii Accessory Yet

Here's a surefire way to destroy your expensive TV or severely injure your loved ones: CTA Digital's Wii Bowling Ball, an accessory that'll give Wii Bowling that extra edge of realism that's acquired by nearly guaranteeing you'll break something while using it.

For all that Nintendo tries to make sure that people's idiocy or clumsiness doesn't get the better of them and cause something to be destroyed while using the Wii, at some point it just becomes inevitable. Or, rather, more than inevitable if you're talking about using something like CTA Digital's newest accessory, the Wii Bowling Ball.

Designed to be the first accessory "to be fashioned after an authentic bowling ball," the Wii Bowling Ball, should you be ballsy enough to try it, will probably break windows, TVs, expensive vases, and maybe some bones too. It's supposed to turn your Wiimote into "the optimum performance-enhancing accessory," which I think is a secret code for wrecking ball.

Here's how it works: You open up the ball, place your Wiimote inside, and then stick your fingers into the three holes, just like a real bowling ball has. Then you can proceed to enjoy Wii Bowling, Brunswick Pro Bowling, Ten Pin Alley 2, and other quality bowling titles. Don't forget to put on that industrial strength wrist band though, and, finally: "Even though holding and bowling the ball is so like-like [sic] to the actual sport, never, ever release the ball!!"

There are two exclamation marks there, so don't forget that advice. CTA Digital is not liable for any kind of destruction you cause with this thing, as they point out twice (once in regular print, once in CAPS) on their product page. This product is not "licensed, designed, sponsored or manufactured" by Nintendo. Big surprise, they probably don't even want to be mentioned in the same breath as this thing.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK, RED