10/07/08

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October 7, 2008 No. 1 Vol. 87 

Today’s Speaker:  Becky Nielsen   Program:  The Trust for Public Land

Becky Nielsen is a Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land (TPL) St. Petersburg, Florida. She joined TPL in 2002 where she works to conserve land for people throughout southwest Florida and the US Virgin Islands. Prior to joining TPL, Becky was living on St. John in the US Virgin Islands, where she worked as a Program Manager for the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park. Becky holds a BA in environmental conservation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The TPL is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since it’s founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 2.5 million acres of land in 47 states. In Florida, TPL has protected more than 300 sites – over 200,000 acres at a market value of about $500 million. TPL depends on support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve our land for people mission. 

The idea of turning railroad corridors into bicycle/pedestrian trails gained popularity in the 1980s after Congress passed the federal Rails to Trails Act, permitting railroad rights-of-way no longer needed for trains to be converted into recreational trails. With 397 miles of rail trails open and another 420 additional miles in planning or under construction, Florida is a nationally recognized leader in re-using unneeded rail corridors. 

In 2005, TPL worked with then-landowner CSX Transportation Inc. to purchase for conservation a two-mile rail corridor that as of today brought the existing 34-mile Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail into downtown St. Petersburg, creating the opportunity for users to travel safely into and out of downtown on a paved urban trail. Officials from TPL joined St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and other elected officials on Saturday, October 4, to celebrate the grand opening of the expansion of the Pinellas Trail to downtown St. Petersburg. 

Last Week at Kiwanis:           

This year’s Installation Banquet was held at St. Petersburg Yacht Club last Tuesday night. Over 80 members and guests attended to congratulate Markus Mittermayr on a job well done and to usher in Biff Baker as this year’s president. Markus’ closing remarks were heartfelt and gratifying as he outlined the club’s accomplishments during his tenure. 

Markus compared his reign to owning a boat; excitement in the beginning but glad to pass on the boat to the next captain. 

He had high praise for the support of the members especially the Board of Directors and committee chairs, and most notably, our secretary/treasurer, Charles Stuart. 

Markus’ highlights for his 2007-2008 term are as follows: 

• A plus four in membership
• Establishment of the CKI Club at USF – St. Pete Campus
• Adding a second Key Club to our portfolio  - at Shorecrest Prep
• Continued support of the Key Club at St. Petersburg High School
• Improved communications through our website and bulletin. A special thanks to Frank Ranieri for his hard work
• Special emphasis on three major service projects:
  1. Stem cell research by Dr. Ann Steele at All Children’s Hospital
  2. Project Save-A-Smile sponsored by member Dr. Ron O’Neal who has treated over 250 children for FREE at his dental clinic over the past three years
  3. The Jim Fischer Doorway College Scholarships program which contributed to 39 new scholarships for 2008 and a running total of 113 scholarships. Our club donated nearly $106,000 this year. CONGRATULATIONS  -- all members
• Four college rolling scholarships at $9,100 per year
• Continued support for the following organizations:

1. Mt. Zion Human Services
2. Help A Child 
3. PARC
4. ASAP Homeless Shelters 
5. Academy Prep
6. Horses for Handicapped
7. World Club International 
8. American Stage
9. The Science Center
10. YWCA
11. Happy Workers
12. Key Clubs
13. CASA
14. CKI Club 
15. Girl Scouts
16. Sallie House
17. Boy Scouts
18. Brookwood
19. Salvation Army 

In summation, during Markus’ tenure he reported that the club raised over $150,000 and contributed over 1500 hours in community service.

For all the members of the Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg, give yourself a hand. Markus hands over the Presidency to Biff Baker, who will lead us into our 87^th year. 

Awards at the Installation Banquet 

• Lay Person of the Year - David Abbey
• George F. Hixson Fellowship Honoree - Robert Byelick
• Outstanding Chairperson of the Year - Worth  Blackwell

Click Here to See pictures of 2008-2009 Installation Banquet.

What’s Happening:

Project Save a Smile Day:

Member Dr. Ron O’Neal is hosting the 4^th annual Save a Smile Day at his office at 7401 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North, St. Petersburg, Saturday, November 15. Please call Ron to volunteer for this notable event.

Today’s Quiz

1.  Name the first country music song to win a Grammy. Name the artist and the year.

2.  Who directed the band that played the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium’s first game in 1923?

3.  What are the three primary colors?

4.  When was the United Nations formed?

Last Week’s Quiz

1. The five Great Lakes of the USA are Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, and Lake Superior.

2. Frank Robinson was the first black manager in baseball.

3. In 1960 the first prescription was written for birth control pills.

4. Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman vice presidential candidate. Her running mate was Walter Mondale.

If you would like to submit questions for a future quiz, please send your queries to me at dlampe@tampabay.rr.com.
 

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