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February 12, 2008 No. 17 Vol. 86
This Week’s Program: Carol Steele, Manager, SRI
International’s Marine Technology Program
Carol Steele is the Manager, Administration and
Organizational Development for SRI International’s Marine Technology
Program, which opened in St. Petersburg in January 2007. SRI
International is a six decades old, $400,000,000 a year nonprofit
research and development organization committed to discovery and to the
application of science and technology for knowledge, commerce,
prosperity, and peace.
SRI St. Petersburg holds a unique position in SRI
International as it creates chemical, biological and physical sensors
that work in harsh environments, such as water, the human body and
space. It is also the home of the National Center for Maritime and Port
Security.
Since 1997, SRI St. Petersburg also has been
developing micro- or MEMS-sized sensors, for use in military, medical,
environmental, and oceanographic applications.
Carol serves as the primary conduit for SRI St.
Petersburg to create new business and collaborations with others. As
such she is
responsible for an aggressive economic development program at SRI St.
Petersburg. With her extensive affiliations within the business
community as well as a wide variety of professional organizations, she
represents the organization in fields ranging from maritime domain
awareness to MEMS development. She also works internally, using SRI –
developed strategy, to create a link between the business and scientific
sides of research and development.
Carol is a 1998 graduate of Leadership St. Pete.
Last Week’s Program: George Hixon, Progress
Energy’s Repowering Project Coordinator, Bartow Power Plant
George Hixon, a civil engineer by training, spoke
to our Club last week to explain the reasons for and technology behind
the “repowering” project at the Bartow Power Plant. “Repowering” is a
term used in the energy business today to refer to a change from using
oil for energy production to natural gas. Repowering will double the
plant’s generating capacity, greatly reduce harmful emissions and reduce
the amount of oil stored on site. The project will provide more
electricity and cleaner air with no new land necessary.
The project has three components: installing a
natural gas pipeline, provided by Gulfstream Natural Gas System,
upgrading transmission power lines and creating a combined cycle power
plant.
The natural gas pipeline is approximately 17 miles
long and 20 inches in diameter, capable of moving 155,000,000 cubic feet
of gas per day. It will provide a 23-year guaranteed supply of power.
Work began on the site last month and is projected to be completed this
fall. The transmission upgrades will provide an extension to the
existing Bartow 230 kV substation and will create 4.5 miles of new 230
kV line. Three other substations will be upgraded as well. The combined
cycle power plant will be fueled primarily by natural gas, but will also
have the capability to run on distillated oil. It has a 1,260 megawatt
generation capability and will house 1 million gallons of oil on site.
It is efficient and very eco-friendly. Hixon told us that the plant is
actually being built on a pedestal in an effort to protect the power
source from storms and flooding.
The current plant will be put in “cold storage”
when the new plant goes online in case it is needed at some point in the
future. Challenges include the location within the Weedon Island
Preserve, transportation issues and subsequent equipment delivery
problems and constructing the new system without disrupting the current
plant’s operations.
In response to questions, Hixon answered that the
plant currently provides about 500 megawatts of power whereas the new
plant will provide 1,300 megawatts, a substantial increase. He said he
didn’t know if the new plant would have any effect on residential
electric bills, but the information put out by Progress Energy online
states that the repowered, more efficient plant site will help keep
electric rates low. Asked why so many of the materials for the plant
were being brought in from overseas, Hixon replied that when the project
was bid out, overseas suppliers were the most cost effective. There will
be no one stopping of the old system and powering up of the new, rather
there will be numerous mini rollovers over the course of about six
months, allowing any problems to be addressed quickly as they come up.
For more information, google “repowering Bartow” or
go to Progress Energy’s website.
Guests and Visitors
Fifty-four members and eleven guests met at Orange
Blossom last Tuesday for the scoop on “repowering” at Weedon Island. Two
guests returned this week – Bob Claycomb, hosted by Harry Eisnaugle
and Paul Misiewicz, guest of President Markus. Four members of
the Seminole Club – Gene Mohney, Charles Black, Guy Trent and Doug S.
joined us as did Biff Baker’s guest Melissa Seixos. Our speaker,
George Hixon, brought colleague Ross Lattuca with him. Welcome, all.
Come back again!
Kiwanian of the Week
We’re including a new feature to help members new
and old get to know each other better. A short biographical portrait and
a picture of a fellow Kiwanian will appear in each issue as we receive
them.
Name: J.B. Gaskins
Company and Title: Florida Blood Services/ Vice
President
Joined Kiwanis because? Wanted to be involved in my
community.
Your single favorite Kiwanis experience/event? When
I come to a meeting after being gone for a while and everyone makes me
feel like I was never gone.
Tell us about your family, including pets. Susanne
is a Nurse at All Children’s Hospital; we’ve been married for 26 years.
Our oldest son Andrew is in the Air Force, daughter Katy (married), and
youngest is Matthew, a freshman in High School.
Perfect day away from work? Deep Sea Fishing/Scuba
Diving/Golfing
Best vacation ever? Been so long I can’t remember.
Last book you read or favorite movie? Tom Clancey/Midway.
Sports or art walks? Sports.
Beach or mountains? Both.
One thing most people don’t know about you? I’m
very outspoken…
Quote to live by? “Your profession is not what
brings home your paycheck. Your profession is what you were put on earth
to do with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in
calling.”
- Vincent Van Gogh -
If you were on Kiwanis Survivor, who would you vote
off the island? Probably myself…I haven’t been a good Kiwanian
lately….miss too many meetings…
What’s Happening?
4th Annual Jim Fischer Birthday Bash
Mark your calendar on June 14th to
attend our annual Jim Fischer Birthday Bash. If you’re a newcomer to our
Club, you may not be familiar with the man and purpose behind this
annual fundraiser.
The Jim Fischer Scholarship Fund was established in
2004 in honor of one of our most distinguished members, H. James
Fischer. Active in many parts of our community, Mr. Fischer
was a past president of the St. Petersburg Bar
Association, Suncoasters of St. Petersburg and our Kiwanis Club. He
touched many lives and was a best friend to many people. Those who were
close to Jim organized the Jim Fischer Scholarship Fund in order to
perpetuate his legacy of community service. The Scholarship Fund
allowed our Club to join with the Pinellas Education Foundation and St.
Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker's Doorway Scholarship Program to provide
free college tuition to deserving students. Students are selected during
Grades 4-9 by the Pinellas Education Foundation based on financial need,
good grades and attendance. If they maintain that status through
graduation from high school, they receive free college tuition.
Please save the date and plan to attend the
Birthday Bash. It’s fun, it’s for a good cause and it commemorates the
life of a great leader in our community.
New Member Karen Vanabut
Last Tuesday marked our introduction to our newest
member, Karen Vanabut. Karen is the Giving Manager at Hospice, taking
the place of Chris Jordan, former Club member here who lost his battle
with cancer. Karen is married with three sons ages 17, 16 and 13 and a 7
year old daughter. Her oldest son just received a full ride to UCF!
Karen looks forward to getting to know everyone and getting involved in
the many activities of our Club. Welcome, Karen.
Good Wishes Go Out To Our Oldest Member
Bernie Lodge, our beloved song leader and
member since 1939, is back on his feet after ill health kept him
from attending our meetings. Please send your good wishes and prayers to
Bernie for a complete recovery and his return to our midst. A card will
circulate today to let him know he’s in our thoughts.
If The Play’s The Thing, Let’s Play
Tom Nelson and Loren Bridge remind us
that this Thursday is Valentine’s Day and romance is taking center
stage! Join a large group of fellow Club members and their sweethearts
for cocktails at Tastings Wine Bar at 6:00 p.m. followed by Moonlight
and Magnolias, a comedy about Gone With The Wind, at American
Stage at 7:30. Tickets are $50 per person, $100 per couple. No one will
be seated once the play begins (and there’s a bar at the Theatre, too),
so don’t be late! Valentine’s-treat your date!
Special Olympics Volunteers Welcome and Needed
Cynthia Mulligan and Pat Biscotti
still need volunteers for the community service event coming up on March
1. Lakewood High will host a Special Olympics competition on that
Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. This is another heartwarming opportunity
to get involved in our local communities and enjoy the camaraderie of
special athletes, their families and your fellow Kiwanians. If your
mother always told you that you get out of things what you put into
them, then make your Club work for you as you work for it!
Happy Chinese New Year!
If you are 13, 25, 37, 49, 61, 73, 85 or 97 years
old, you were born in the Chinese Year of the Rat. You are charming and
troubled. For more insight into your nature, go to http://www.holymtn.com/astrology/rat.htm.
TODAY’S QUIZ:
1.
Name two examples of MEMS nanotechnology used in the Tom Cruise
film “Minority Report.”
2.
From 1984 to the end of 1999, how many pirate attacks on ships
were there world-wide? A. None, piracy ended in the 1900s B. 27, but
they were staged for movies C. 952 D. 1,587
3.
Human blood is red, insect blood is yellow, what color is
lobster blood?
4.
Name that tune: "Like a song of love
that clings to me, how the thought of you does things to me?” Who was
most famous for recording it?
LAST WEEK’S QUIZ:
1.
The benefits of “repowering” electric plants rather than
capturing energy from the sun, plants or oceans are cost
effectiveness, reliability, and 98% reduction in sulfer
dioxide emissions.
5.
Effa Manley never played on the field but left her mark on
the Negro leagues and beyond once baseball's color barrier was broken.
Manley was co-owner of the Newark Eagles during the 1930s and '40s. In
February 2006, she became the first woman ever elected to the
Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. She was one of 17
people from the era of Black baseball specially elected to the Hall of
Fame. Active in the Black civil rights movement and treasurer of the
Newark NAACP, Effa Manley was a white woman raised by her Black
stepfather and white mother.
6.
Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a natural substance that is
reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in
love. If you’re not in love on Valentine’s Day this week, enjoy some
good chocolate!
5. President John F. Kennedy introduced the
Civil Rights Act bill to Congress in 1963. Stalled in the Rules
Committee until after JFK was assassinated, President Lyndon Baines
Johnson signed it into law 44 years ago on February 10, 1964.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
For seafarers
Lord
God, creator of the universe, the fertile land, the swarming sea, bless
those who sail the seas to make a living and to bring us the goods that
we need and use each day in our lives. Keep these people safe from all
danger. Give them faith when they doubt, hope when they despair, and the
joy of homecoming when their work is done. Through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
--
by J. Loring Carpenter --
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