Fantasic Luncheon Programs...a Hallmark of The Rotary Club of Scottsdale

The Rotary Club of Scottsdale's size allows it to draw interesting speakers often unavailable to smaller groups.  The last two luncheon speakers are cases in point.  The January 30 meeting featured a briefing on the proposed Resolution Copper mine near Superior.  The mine, tapping into the world's third largest known copper reserves, will be a $5 billion, 40-year facility directly employing 1,400 workers through a 7,000+-foot-deep mine shaft.  Bruce Richardson, the speaker, described how mine walls at that depth reach 130 degrees so the facility will likely have the world's largest air conditioning system.  The economic effects on the region could be tremendous.  Bruce faced interesting questions though about modern mining, water, and the effect of the mine on the Boyce Thompson arboretum.

Our February 6 speaker was Michael Bassoff, president of TGen.  He briefed the Club on TGen's inroads into applied genetic research and a number of drug therapies developed to target genes gone haywire.  The efficiency and accuracy of gene-tailored therapy made for a compelling story and the his recounting of individual successes was heartening.  TGen's work has resulted in doubling the life expectancy of a particular pancreatic cancer.  Michael also described TGen's partnering with local hospitals and medical schools.  Again, Scottsdale Rotarians asked insightful questions that added to the presentation.