August 7, 2007 No. 44 Vol. 85
This Week’s Program: Don Miller – Climate Change
Project
Don Miller is a retired
high-technology sales and marketing executive now serving as a volunteer
presenter with the Climate Project.
The Climate Project is a movement to educate and challenge citizens and
governments into action against the growing crisis of global warming. As
a non-profit group, the Climate Project works to bring education,
community information, research and citizen action programs to
communities across the country. Their first initiative was the training
of 1,000 lecturers to present the information delivered in An
Inconvenient Truth to audiences across America.
Don is a Florida native who spent over 30 years living and working in
California’s Silicon Valley. He and his wife recently returned to
Florida. They currently live in Apollo Beach in Tampa Bay area.
Welcome, Don! Is it hot in here or is it just
global warming?
Last Week’s Program: Mark Dubina, FDLE, on
Homeland Security
Kiwanian-of-the-Day Cyndi Mulligan introduced
speaker Mark Dubina from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Responsible for crime research, master computer database maintenance and
law enforcement training, the FDLE had little to do with global
terrorism pre 9/11. The focus then was on domestic groups like the KKK
and other homegrown militia members. The Federal Government and the FBI
had a small focus on international terrorism, but after the events of
9/11, Governor Bush asked the FDLE Commissioner what our state of
preparedness was and wanted measures put in place to ensure rapid
response and the maintenance of critical infrastructure in the event of
a terrorist attack. The legislature passed laws to create the taskforces
needed to gauge Florida’s strengths and weaknesses and jointly put
together a plan for response.
Mark Dubina, who had extensive experience in law
enforcement, participated in the initial planning and subsequent
implementation of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF). He
is currently responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the
Tampa Bay RDSTF, which includes 18 full-time members from both local law
enforcement agencies and FDLE. The Tampa Bay RDSTF covers a geographic
area that includes nine counties in West Central Florida. Mr. Dubina is
responsible for all aspects of domestic security investigations, and is
FDLE’s liaison to Ports in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Manatee County. He
directs and reviews all investigations concerning terrorism/domestic
security conducted by the Tampa Bay RDSTF and all intelligence/special
projects conducted by Tampa Bay RDSTF Crime Analysts. He also
coordinates an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) project with
ICE Supervisors. The RDSTF also provides educational programs to school
children and public outreach to educate citizens about the risks,
responsibilities and safety measures required of us in a post 9/11
world.
Mark said that hurricanes have taught us much
about the aftermath of traumatic events and his group works with
hospitals, utility companies and other infrastructural agencies like
fire departments and the police to ensure public safety in the first 72
hours after a possible attack. Prevention is key, however, and local
police departments, immigration officers, the Coast Guard and others
work with the RDSTF on monitoring and communicating intelligence.
Tampa Bay's biggest areas of vulnerability include
our ports, MacDill Air force Base, Crystal River Nuclear Plant,
hazardous waste storage facilities and stadiums, arenas and theme parks.
What can we do to safeguard our families? Mark says terrorism prevention
is crime prevention. Report suspicious individuals or activities. Be
patient with long lines at the airport and pat downs at sports arenas.
Deterring criminal activity and access to vulnerable targets will go a
long way toward preventing terrorism on a bigger scale.
Guests and Visitors
Last Tuesday we had 51 members and three visitors
in attendance. In addition to our speaker, Mark Dubina, Ron Braun
brought back guest Jonathan Paletti. President Mitch introduced his two
guests, John Gadd and Bernie Mzaaerhi. Join us as a member! You'll make
terrific new friends and get involved in your community in new and
rewarding ways.
Our Sympathy
It is with deep regret that we inform you that our
friend and fellow Kiwanian Chris Jordan passed away last week. Chris
joined us at several lunches in the spring, smiling and chatting with
friends old and new. He had been ill with cancer for some time. Memorial
donations may be made in his name to the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast,
5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760, or The Chris Jordan Family
Fund, c/o Susannah Townsend, P.O. Box 3906, Tampa, FL 33601. We will
miss him.
Another former Kiwanian whose passing we also note
with sadness is that of Hannes Karl Mittermayer, father of Markus
Mittermayr. The elder Mr. Mittermayr was Kiwanian of the Year in 1966
and long-term member of Boca Ciega Club. The family requests that
memorial donations be made to the St. Anthony's Hospital Foundation.
We send our sympathy and wish for comfort to both
families.
What’s Happening?
August Holidays
Among other things, August is National Golf Month
and National Romance Awareness Month. Aren’t those two things mutually
exclusive?
No Hanging Chads In This Election
In a stunningly simple Florida election, Ron Braun
was voted in by our membership to be the newest Member of the Board of
St. Petersburg Kiwanis, serving a term through September 2009. He is
completing the term formerly held by Bob Piptliz who was elected to
become a Vice President for the upcoming fiscal year. As no challenger
demanded a recount, Ron will shortly assume the robes befitting his
office. No word on what Bob Piplitz will be wearing.
Kiwanians Get Special Treatment At American
Stage
Cynthia McGowan announced that groups of ten or
more Kiwanians and their spouses/dates will be given discounted tickets
to Casa Blue: The Final Moments in the Life of Frida Kahlo by
American Stage. A critical and audience success, Casa Blue is
innovative theatre at its best, telling the story of celebrated Mexican
artist, Frida Kahlo, wife of Diego Rivera, in a form as surrealistic and
complex as her art and life. Fellow Kiwanian Todd Olson is one of the
writers of the play and director of this premiere production. The play
has been extended through Sunday, August 19th. Contact
Cynthia at lunch or at 823-1600, ext. 203 or watch for an email with
suggested dates to sign up. Some nudity and profanity.
TODAY'S QUIZ:
-
In an article published in the November
17, 2005 issue of Nature, the World Health Organization
warned that global climate change already contributes to 150,000
deaths and five million illnesses each year, and this figure is
expected to double by what year?
- What are the young
of sharks called?
- Where does the
phrase “second string” come from?
- Which movie, in
nominal dollars (that is, updated for inflation, etc.), is the
biggest money-maker of all time: Star Wars, Gone With The
Wind or Titanic?
