|
March 31,
2009
Today’s
Program The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Speakers:
Tim
Ramsberger, Tony Fabrizio, and Brant James
The Honda Grand Prix of
St. Petersburg returns April 3-5, 2009 and
kicks off an exciting 2009 season IndyCar Circuit.
This will be the fifth running of the event, with race action on a
temporary street circuit in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg. Drivers
will race at speeds in excess of 170 mph through the streets of St.
Petersburg and the Albert Whitted Airport, overlooking the picturesque
city waterfront.
Graham Rahal, who became the youngest driver ever to win an IndyCar
race, will be back in St. Petersburg to defend his title. Also racing in
the 2009 Grand Prix is superstar Danica Patrick and her Andretti Green
#7 racing team. Danica is the first and only woman to ever win a race in
the IndyCar Circuit, winning the IndyJapan 300 in April 2008. She
finished 10th in last year's Grand Prix and is looking for a big finish
at this year's season opening event. Adding to the excitement is the
debut of team co-owner and 2008 Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee,
Michael Andretti, as Danica's strategist for the 2009 IndyCar Series.
The party shifts into second gear on Friday, as fans are treated to an
American Le Mans Series practice a drifting exhibition, an air show, a
driver autograph session, and the Michael Andretti Foundation Gala
taking place Friday evening from 7-9 pm.
The festivities kick up a notch on Saturday, with the Acura Sports Car
Challenge taking center stage at 1:20pm, along with the Firestone Indy
Lights Race, concerts, air shows, and autograph sessions.
Turn on the boost for Sunday as the main event unfolds. The second
Firestone Indy Lights Race kicks the day off at 10:00 am, followed by a
drifting exhibition, concerts and air shows all morning leading up to
the exciting 2:30pm race start.
The
Executive Director of the Grand Prix, Tim Ramsberger, is again joining
us for lunch to introduce what may be new and different at the 2009
event. Along with Tim, (in alphabetical order) the Tampa Tribune's
racing writer, Tony Fabrizio, and the St. Petersburg Times racing
writer, Brant James, will share their thoughts on some current matters
affecting the Series such as: the economic downturn fall-out; IndyCar's
switch from American corn-based ethanol to Brazilian sugar-based
ethanol; IndyCar's new exhaust system reducing previous noise levels;
ALMS Audi
and Peugeot teams' absence from St. Petersburg after their recent
appearance in Sebring; and whatever questions you direct to the
assembled triumberant of racing knowledge, experience and insight.
We very
much appreciate Brant, Tim, and Tony taking time to join us during the
busy week prior to the Grand Prix. Please give them a big Kiwanis'
welcome.
What’s Happening
Boat Trip Rescheduled (again)
We are having our annual boat trip on Wednesday, April 22. We will leave
the dock in Tierra Verde at 5:30 and return at 8:30. The yacht is 100’
and very plush. We will have plenty of food and drink. This outing
includes your spouse or significant other but you can come alone. The
cost is $45.00 per person. We only have room for 50 people so be sure to
see
Weyman
Willingham
and sign up. However, we must have your check payable to the Kiwanis
club in order for you to have a confirmed reservation.
Mark Your Calendar
Bob Byelick reminded us the Fischer/Carr Memorial birthday bash is on
June 6. Remember, this is our biggest fundraiser.
Save the Date
Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. to
help with the Sallie House Easter Egg Hunt. More details to follow.
Thank You Letters
Bob Byelick read several more letters from the recipients of the
Doorways Scholarships. Bob, always entertaining and heartwarming to hear
those letters read. Go to our Kiwanis website to view the letters.
Special Olympics and Blues Fest Thanks
Jane Baldwin expressed thanks to all that helped with the Special
Olympics. Pat Biscotti thanked all those who volunteered for the Blues
Fest March 20, 21, & 22. Kiwanis volunteers definitely make a difference
in the success of the events.
Donation
A donation of $1,000 was given by Worth Blackwell of the Boys and Girls
Committee to
Mary Agliano, Betsy Blackwell (wife of Worth), and Sue Casto of the
Pinellas County Schools Title I program. Title I is a federal program
designed for improving the literacy for disadvantaged children in grades
K-4. Pinellas County Schools has provided a library in south St.
Petersburg to a place to read for our local children and their parents.
Because of this donation, children will be given books to take home,
read, and keep.
Official Charter
The USF - St Petersburg Circle K International was officially chartered
February 26, 2009. The CKI girls were thrilled to receive their bell &
gavel and thanked us for our support. Our club received a sponsor patch.
Last Week at Kiwanis
Kiwanian of the Day, Tom Nelson, presented Tammie Souza, staff
meteorologist of 10 Connects. Tammie, born in Pennsylvania, has made a
rather labyrinthian trek to St. Petersburg, with stops in California,
Mississippi, Chicago, and Milwaukee. Proudly, she announced that her
father is a Kiwanian in California.
Hired to replace local legend, Dick Fletcher, who passed away last year,
her goal is to be honest and explain to the viewers what they see on
radar and what to expect in a non-alarming manner.
Tammie focused on the most immediate concern for all of us – drought.
Currently, our area is 3.4” below average for rainfall in 2009. Our
drought is well into its fourth year.
Inevitably, Tammie spoke about hurricanes and their probability in
striking our area. First, she explained that El Nino and La Nina define
the projected number and intensity of hurricanes. La Nina means a
stronger hurricane season while El Nino usually means a below normal
season for hurricanes. Also, this year, cooler waters are expected,
lessening hurricane strength.
As her career took her to the Midwest, Tammie developed an affinity for
chasing tornadoes. Listening to her describe the chasing felt like
watching the movie “Twister” again. Approximately 1300 tornadoes form
per year in the United States, with less than thirty classified as
killer storms. Florida ranks fourth in the number of tornadoes, behind
the tornado alley states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. An interesting
footnote from Tammie: The reason the United States has more tornadoes in
the world than anywhere else is that the major mountain ranges, the
Rockies and Appalachians, run north to south.
While in California, an assignment to cover wildfires became personal as
one of those fires destroyed property owned by her family. Unlike
hurricanes, wildfires can form in minutes and leave forecasters little
time for warnings.
Thanks, Tammie, for making us more weather savvy and it is good to know
now that you are in Florida, you understand the difference between a
grove and an orchard.
Guests
and Visitors
We had 64 members and 8 guests attending.
Paul Ullmark, guest of Harry Eisnaugle.
Mary Agliano, Betsy Blackwell, and Sue Casto, guests of
Worth Blackwell
Steve Freeman, guest of Don Nardozzi
Bill Krautler, guest of Biff Baker
Gayla Davis, guest of Doug Lampe
Dexter McCree, guest of Scott Boyle
Today’s Quiz
-
1.
Prior
to his gig with ESPN, what was Dick Vitale’s previous job?
-
2.
Name
the University that had the first all black starting five to win the
Final Four.
-
3.
Which
city has hosted the most Final Four tournaments?
-
4.
Name
the four teams in the Final Four that St. Petersburg hosted? Who
Won?
-
5.
Who
will win this year’s Final Four?
Last
Week’s Quiz
-
The
first weather lady for Channel 10 was Karol Kelly
-
Gonzaga University is in Spokane, Washington, where John
Stockton played college basketball, future NBA Hall of Famer.
-
The
NBA Hall of Famer who played his basketball at Holy Cross University
was Bob Cousy.
-
Satchel Paige
said, “Don’t look back, something might be gaining on you.”
-
French Toast originated in Albany, New York and was named for
its maker, Joseph French.
|
