February 16, 2010
This Week’s Program: Tampa International Airport Speaker: Louis Miller
Louis Miller, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, has been the Executive Director of Tampa International Airport and three general aviation reliever airports, Peter O. Knight Airport in downtown Tampa, Vandenberg Airport in eastern Hillsborough County and Plant City Airport in Plant City, Florida since July 1996. He came to Tampa from the Salt Lake City Airport after serving 14 years as CEO and the five years prior as Deputy Director of Airports. Mr. Miller serves on, and is very involved in, numerous local community boards and organizations, as well as serving as Treasurer of Airports Council International’s World Board. Mr. Miller’s CPA background prior to entering the aviation industry has been an added bonus to Tampa International Airport, and TPA feels very fortunate to have someone of his caliber heading the organization under these current times.
What’s Happening
Special Olympics
It is that time again. Volunteers, please call Bret Jahn to sign up for this great event located at Lakewood High School on March 13, 2010, 8:30 a.m.
The Lithuanian Open
A Golf Tournament hosted by Al Karnavicus is scheduled for March 4 - 8. The tournament, now in its tenth year, is held at St. Petersburg Country Club and is an open invitational for all Kiwanians and other golfers. Al sees to it that proceeds are distributed to summer camps for rural children of Lithuania. Check the website at LTCONSULFLORIDA.com. Al also pointed out that 2010 marks the twentieth year of Lithuania’s independence and will be celebrated during the tournament
Last Week at Kiwanis
Kiwanian of the Day, Biff Baker, introduced Marc Topkin, beat writer covering the Tampa Bay Rays for the St. Petersburg Times. As Marc watches the Super Bowl, he looks at this time of year as the beginning of the baseball season - at least for him. Next week he relocates to Port Charlotte to be on hand as the pitchers and catchers arrive. A week or so later, the position players make their appearance. Spring training games start in early March and by early April the season commences.
Marc's assessment for the Rays this year is one of "a window of opportunity". The Rays have four key players in their last year of contract - Pat Burrell, Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, and Rafael Soriano, and depending on performance and money available, they may not be around for next year. Crawford is likely to leave as a bidding war for his services is looming.
Also, this year, Marc says to watch for major league baseball to step in and to attempt to broker a deal for a new stadium. It is clearly not a secret that Bud Selig and other muckety-mucks think poorly of Tropicana Field. Marc explained that in the past, when the baseball hierarchy gets involved in stadium issues, decisions are made at a more strident pace. But Buddy Bud, you have never seen a place quite like St. Petersburg. We shall see.
But back to the more important matters of what to expect this season. Marc sees the starting pitchers relatively set with the five man rotation consisting of veterans Matt Garza and James Shields, along with a trio of second year players: Wade Davis, Rich Niemann, and David Price. The bullpen's expected savior, Rafael Soriano, is the key to more victories as 35-40 saves are the projection.
Moving on to the position players, Marc looks for the everyday lineup to dramatically improve if B.J. Upton finally lives up to his potential -- for every game. Left unsettled, at this point is where will Ben Zobrist play -- right field or second base? Zobrist cares not where he plays, as long as he plays. So, Marc's anticipated opening day batter order for the first six: Bartlett, Crawford, Longoria, Pena, Zobrist, and Upton. The last hitters 7, 8, and 9 will be somewhat interchangeable depending on who is pitching and who is hot.
According to Marc, baseball's relationship to a community is interwoven much like the threads in a fine suit. Marc likens covering the Rays to the everyday drama of a soap opera. Marc, as fans, we get your drift and enjoy this Rays soap opera, too.
Scholarship Letters
Bob Byelick received the following letter from Andrius V. is a 7th Grader at Bay Point Middle School.
Dear Mr. Byelick,
My favorite subject in school is technology class because I like typing and editing movies that l make, it is really fun, and I also like making movies with my friends. I don't know where to go for college, and I'm also not sure what career to pursue. Although I know that l want to go to St. Petersburg High School. Hobbies I have are playing soccer outside of school. I'm on a club team in Azalea, and I have fun playing the sport with some of my friends.
Thank you for being my sponsor. I'm so grateful to get help with my college education.
Sincerely,
Andrius V.
This Week’s Quiz
- Which airline has the most flights in and out of the Tampa International Airport (TIA)?
- TIA ranks as the _____________ busiest airport in the USA.
- How many international destinations are served by TIA non-stop? Name these destinations.
- When did the present location of TIA first start serving commercial passengers?
- What percentage of passengers has Pinellas County as their destination? 25% 35% 45% 55%
Last Week’s Quiz
- Art Fleming was the first host for Jeopardy beginning in 1964.
- Bill Cullen was the first host for The Price is Right.
- Steve Allen was the first host for the Tonight Show.
- Peyton Place the television night time soap opera starred Ryan O’Neal.
- In 1960, McKee Foods founder O.D. McKee was trying to come up with a catchy name for their new family-pack cartons of snack cakes. Packaging supplier Bob Mosher suggested using a family member's name. Thinking of what could be a good fit for the brand, O.D. arrived at the name of his 4-year-old granddaughter Debbie. Inspired by a photo of Debbie in play clothes and her favorite straw hat, he decided to use the name Little Debbie® and the image of her on the logo. Not until the first cartons were being printed did Debbie's parents, Ellsworth and Sharon McKee; discover that their daughter was the namesake of the new brand.
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