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Tuesday, April 25, 2006 No. 30 Vol. 84
Newsletter
Archive | Download Color PDF File
Today’s Speaker:
Charles W. “Chuck” Ross & Elliot Rakofsky PARC BLUES FESTIVAL
Our program
today will have two presenters, Charles W. “Chuck” Ross and
Elliot Rakofsky. They will be introduced by our Kiwanian-of-the-day
Bob Piplitz. Chuck Ross is a trial attorney and certified court
mediator who has practiced law in St. Petersburg since 1979. He is a
former partner with the law firm of Holland & Knight, and he established
the Ross Mediation Center in 2002 and now devotes his career to the
mediation of circuit and federal court litigation matters. Mr. Ross is
the president of the Tampa Bay Blues Foundation, a 501 c3 non-profit
which produces the Tampa Bay Blues Festival. Our speaker has
significant experience in the music industry as a performer and record
producer. He founded the Tampa Bay Blues Festival to establish a world
class blues music event for the benefit of the community, while also
raising funds for the Foundation’s charity partner, P.A.R.C.
Mr. Rakofsky is
Director of Community Relations for PARC. He is a graduate of Utica
College in Utica, New York and relocated to Pinellas County in April of
1988 to escape the cold winters of Buffalo, NY which he still visits
during the summer months. He has been associated with PARC for the past
eighteen years. Elliot is an Advisory Council Member of the Retired
Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP), a member of the Volunteer Directors
Association of Tampa Bay, a member of the Downtown Largo Main Street
Association and is President of the Seminole Civitan Club. Let’s give
our speakers a very warm Kiwanis welcome!
TODAY’S QUIZ:
1. What was Buster Keaton’s real first name? 2. On what day of the
week was Pearl Harbor bombed? 3. Where is “Big Sky Country”? 4. Who
is the author of “Walden”? 5. Where was former president Gerald R.
Ford born?
LAST WEEK AT
KIWANIS
Our program
last week was presented by our own Todd Olson and five very
talented performers from Crowns, American Stage’s current
production. He was introduced by our Kiwanian-of-the-day Al
Karnavicius. Todd, the Producing and Artistic Director for
American Stage, reminded the
club that he has been here in St. Petersburg for three years and that
his favorite topic of conversation is American Stage. He then presented
an overview of American Stage over these past three years. This
included the 25th, 26th and 27th
seasons and the launching of the 28th Season. This is the
earliest that a brochure showing the season’s shows has been made
available to the public. Todd feels that once a theatre-goer attends
one of the productions, they will come back. And, if they become a
subscriber and their expectations are not met, he will see that you get
a full refund, no questions asked.
Over the past two
years, the attendance is up 34% and subscriber totals are up 20%. Also,
90% of the subscribers renew annually. Also, there is an increase in
corporate partnerships. $45,000 has been designated for education and
the Stage’s budget is over one million dollars. American Stage has a
Long Range Plan through 2010 and has launched its first endowment
campaign. As our speaker stated, American Stage Theatre Company is
Tampa Bay’s home of great stories, and, as always, there is something
for everyone.
Todd then introduced
cast members from Crowns and they proceeded to put on a short
version of some of the happenings in that show. It was a great
performance and the club members all joined in the fun and festivities.
Many thanks to Al for bringing this most entertaining program to our
attention.
VISITORS AND
GUESTS Rex Stuckey brought his wife Peggy to our meeting. Bruce
McKelvey had his wife Annie as his guest. Cyndi Mulligan brought Maire
Lee as her guest. Lori Miller was the guest of Rich Gonlin and Hunter
Booth was the guest of Worth Blackwell. Mitch Cochran brought Matt
Pinckley as his guest. Welcome one and all. Please visit with us
often.
NOMINEES FOR 2006-2007 CLUB OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The following members will be placed in nomination by the
Elections Committee at our May 9th meeting:
President-elect
(vote for one):
Bill Allard
Markus Mittermayr
Vice Presidents
(vote for two):
David Abbey
Biff Baker
Skip Carr
Markus Mittermayr
Ron Scoggins
Board of Directors
(vote for three):
Pat Bisciotti
Steve Cunningham
Rob Kapusta
Tom Nelson
Bob Piplitz
Mark Shames
SUNCOAST GIRL
SCOUTS RECEIVE GRANT Cynthia McGowan presented a
Youth Investment Shares check in the amount of $500 to Lora Hulse of the
Suncoast Girl Scout Council. Ms Hulse thanked the club and stated that
eighty girls in the Pinellas area will be able to be Girl Scouts because
of this donation. This is another fine example of your YIS dollars at
work!
PARC BLUES FEST
NEEDS VOLUNTEERS Volunteers
are needed to fill two five-hour shifts on May 5th, 6th
and 7th during the upcoming PARC Blues Fest. A sign-up sheet
is being passed around so members can pick the hours most convenient to
them. Here is a wonderful opportunity to be of service to another fine
organization that helps children. Sign up TODAY.
ITEMS NEEDED FOR AUCTION AT FISCHER BASH
John Biesinger reminded the club that a Silent Auction will be held in
conjunction with the annual Jim Fischer Birthday Bash which is scheduled
for June 10th at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Members are
being asked to secure donated items from baskets to any large ticket
items to help raise additional dollars for the Jim Fischer
Scholarships. Please bring the items to our club meeting on June 9th
so they can be properly displayed at the Bash on the 10th.
Contact either John or big Al for details. Here is another way you can
help make this year’s bash an even bigger success!
WEBSITE SURVEY NOW
ONLINE President Cathy asked the membership for
their input into our club’s operations by completing the Member
Survey which can be found on this site at
..\feedback.htm. This is an excellent opportunity for every member
to be heard.
INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION SET FOR MONTREAL It is still not too
late to register for the upcoming Kiwanis International Convention which
is scheduled for Montreal on June 28 to July 2, 2006. Members who go on
the junket do not have to attend any of the scheduled meetings at the
convention unless they want to as the club has two designated
representatives in the form of President Cathy and President-elect
Mitch. A good time for all attendees is assured. President-elect Mitch
will take the entire group from our club to dinner at least one time
during the convention. So, start making your plans to attend NOW. June
28 is not far off.
PRAYER OF THE
DAY: Almighty and everlasting God, we beseech thee to be with
this meeting of the Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg here assembled in thy
presence. Save us from error, ignorance, pride and prejudice, and of
thy great mercy so direct and govern us in our work that we may serve
our country with true patriotism, to thy honor and glory. Amen.
LAST WEEK’S QUIZ:
1. Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo,
Miss., in 1935. 2. Florida is known as the Sunshine State.
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt promised “a new deal for the American
people” in 1933. 4. A horseshoe must be within six inches of
the stake in order to score. 5. “In the beginning” are the
first three words of Genesis.
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