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April 28, 2009   

Today’s Program Florida Court Topics  Today’s Speaker Judge Mark Shames 

He’s back!! Yes, our own Mark Shames, Circuit Court Judge, is bound and determined for us to get the law right … or banish those who do not to Justice Beach to discuss the merits of the designated hitter rule. 

Mark graduated from Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania) in 1973 and received his Jurist Doctorate in 1976 from Stetson Law School. 

Mark practiced law for thirty years, with an emphasis on probate and guardianship administration and litigation; plaintiff’s personal injury; family law; and general civil litigation. Mark was elected as President of the St. Petersburg Bar for 1994-1995. 

On January 7, 1997, Mark was elected to the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court where he has served in the following divisions: Probate, Family Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Law. Mark, along with his wife Barbara, lives in St. Petersburg.                       

What’s Happening 

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Al Karnavicus, Cyndi Mulligan, Charles Stuart, and Frank Ranieri for assisting in last week’s bulletin while I was away on vacation. 

New Members

Two new members were approved by the board and given their aprons for the requisite fifty signatures. Please get to know Jessica Kardis, sponsored by Terry Dowling, and Bill Krautler, sponsored by Biff Baker. Congratulations new members, and welcome to the club.      

Membership Committee

The membership committee met after last week’s meeting to discuss procedures to secure new members. Any ideas are welcomed by the committee chaired by Ron Braun. 

Thank You from All Children's Hospital

Biff read the following letter from All Children’s Hospital for our donation of stuffed bears. 

“Thank you so much for your generous donation of $210 and stuffed bears, which we received on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. Your support is helping our mission of Building Miracles for thousands of children who pass through our doors every year.

Our new facility is scheduled to open later this year. Thanks to you, the future for our children looks even brighter. As you know, All Children’s Hospital is more than a building. It always has been and always will be. We are blessed with caring doctors, nurses and other professionals who have a long history of care giving. We are also blessed with a generous family of donors and friends who have also been part of our care giving team. 

Eighty years ago there was only one child. Today there are thousands who walk through our doors. With your help we continue to Build Miracles … for one child and for all children.” 

Many Thanks, Stephanie Hall, Director, Telethon/Annual Giving All Children’s Hospital 

Upcoming Programs

In collaboration with the membership and program committees, please note that two upcoming programs are outstanding opportunities to bring guests to the club. First, on June 9^th, General Petraeus will visit; and on June 30, Coach Jim Leavitt, head football coach of the University of South Florida. Watch for special notices for these exceptional programs.

Scholarships

Al K, missing his trusty sidekick, John Biesinger, made a pitch for the Fischer/Carr Scholarship Fund. Not quite Billy Mays, but well done nonetheless. Al also confirmed that Coach Leavitt would be our special guest. J.C. Russell announced that six finalists are nominated for the Al Muter Scholarship. Final interviews are in process. Thanks, J.C. to you and your committee for all the hard work and the difficult decisions that are made to select a winner. 

Grant Presented to Salvation Army

On behalf of the Youth Investment Services, the venerable Bernie Lodge accepted $1,500.00 for the Salvation Army. Thanks, Bernie, for all that you have done for the Salvation Army. 

Finemaster

Finemaster Mitch Cochran showcased the always popular game show Name That Kiwanian. It is always amazing how fellow Kiwanians resemble the famous and almost famous people in our world. 

Last Week at Kiwanis

Kiwanian of the Day, Cathy Swanson, introduced our own Todd Olson, Producing Artistic Director of the American Stage and number one cheerleader. As an added treat, Todd brought along with him six members of the cast for Altar Boyz, the latest production of American Stage in the Park. The cast sang a couple of songs featured in the play, creating a joyful atmosphere. 2010 marks the 25^th anniversary of American Stage in the Park.  

Todd, in his six years as director, at American Stage, proudly pointed out that membership has expanded by over 1,300 during his stewardship. Todd’s greatest challenge is fundraising as the city and state reduced their grant by better than half to American Stage. However, during Todd’s reign, endowments are up by over 250 per cent. 

Enthusiastically, Todd shared with us the excitement of moving into their new venue at the Palladium. While the new theatre will seat an additional forty patrons, the intimate feel will remain the same. Come see for yourself as the ribbon cutting is on May 30.  

• Todd announced the schedule for the 2009-2010 season starting next fall with the following productions:

• ·         Fences

• ·         This Wonderful Life

• ·         Blithe Spirit

• ·         Driving Miss Daisy

• ·         Hair

• ·         November

• ·         The Seafarer

After the Altar Boyz, look for the following shows this summer:

• ·         Tuesdays with Morrie

• ·         Doubt

Thanks, Todd, for bringing to us the latest and greatest about American Stage. The club wishes your organization the best, and we look forward to hearing from you again soon. 

Guests and Visitors

 We had 64 members and 9 guests attending.

•             Ted Wall, past Lt. Governor

•             Mike Higbee, guest of Maryann Lynch

•             Harry Benjamin, of the Birmingham, Alabama Kiwanis Club

•             And six cast members from American Stage

Today’s Quiz

1. Before he was a part of the cast of Gilligan’s Island, actor Alan Hale played the part of an importer in a black and white TV adventure series in the late 50’s to early 60’s. What was the name of that show? (Hint: This Kiwanian was named after this TV series.)

2.  What are the recorded pounds for the largest tarpon caught in the world and where?

3. Where was the first hydrogen bomb tested?

4. What NFL team will Louis Murphy, Jr. play for next year?

5. The book, “I Can’t Wait Until Tomorrow, Because I Get Better Looking Everyday” features this celebrity. Name him. (Hint: It is not Bob Piplitz)

Last Week’s Quiz

1. Boxing is the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.

2. Three English words beginning with dw are: Dwarf, dwell, and dwindle.

3. The North American landmark constantly moving backward is Niagara Falls (The rim is worn down about two and a half feet each year because of the millions of gallons of water that rush over it every minute.)

4. The fruit with its seeds on the outside is the strawberry.

5. The pear grew inside the brandy bottle. The bottles are placed over pear buds when they are small, and are wired in place on the tree. The bottle is left in place for the entire growing season. When the pears are ripe, they are snipped
   off at the stems.

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