Houston Is Down...But Not Out!

Joe Stiles was out guest speaker this week, talking about the state of the Houston economy and especially the real estate market. While the economic situation is particularly bad in California and Florida and the rest of the country is also impacted, Houston is faring far better then the average.

Houston continues to show surprising strength in some key industries:

• Oil and gas extraction
• Manufacturing
• Health care

Housing starts are down as are overall real estate sales, but there is some indication that sales are beginning to pick up as people find bargains are now available and interest rates are low.

Compared to the Houston of 20 years ago our economic base today is much more varied...which helps protect from major slowdowns. The Port of Houston continues to prove its value to the overall economy by being the source of many jobs in a trickle-down from Port activities.

So the overall view, although not as rosey as 12 to 18 months ago, is not all gloom and doom fro Houston.

Guests, Visitors & Other Good News

Karen Blakeman Lei'd Chuni as the latest club member to fulfill their Rotary Foundation minimum donation of $120.00 for the year ($20 goes to Polio Plus).

JohnPaul Jourard was recognized for 34 years of perfect attendance and presented with the appropriate number tag for his Rotary lapel pin by Archie Wilcox.

Delores Delsing once again fulfilled her position as the Chairman of Chuckles by presenting another in her seemingly endless (and enjoyable) pieces of humor.

Foundation Donations Due

If you have not yet completed your Foundation Donation minimum for the year...please see Archie or Karen no later than our April 21st luncheon meeting. We need to submit the raffle tickets to District for the Conference that starts April 30th and get the fund to the Rotary Foundation to assure proper credit for this year.

Coming Up At Rotary