UAMS Rockefeller Cancer Institute making progress against cancer.

Gloria C. Redman, brought several pieces of "good news" regarding progress in cancer treatment to the Thursday, February 26 Rotary Club meeting. Redman, who is the Community Affairs Coordinator for the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Foundation, noted that while breast cancer is the number one type of cancer in women, researchers at the Rockefeller Cancer Institute are testing a new vaccine intended to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer and are currently in the second stage of clinical trials. She added that over 20 counties in Arkansas lack the medical equipment necessary for local doctors to perform mammograms. The center purchased a mobile mammogram unit for use in remote rural communities to promote state efforts toward early detection and saving lives.

Prostate cancer is the second leading type of cancer in men. The Rockefeller Institute was the first of three cancer centers in Arkansas using robot technology to assist in the treatment of prostate cancer. The new robotic procedure is less invasive, offers faster recovery and with fewer complications than older types of prostate surgery. Redman added that while affiliated with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the primary focus of the Rockefeller Cancer Institute is to take care of patients.

To learn more about UAMS visit: http://www.uams.edu/chancellor/about.asp

Rotarian of the Day, Justin Lovett, arranged for and introduced the program.

New Pavilion signs recognize earlier Van Buren Rotarians

The Van Buren City Parks Department has completed a portion of the cleanup and repairs after storms damaged trees and facilities at the city park. Part of the cleanup and repairs included the Rotary Club pavilion along the lake. The picnic pavilion was constructed by Van Buren Rotarians in 1982 and the new metal signs replace the weathered wooden signs installed when the pavilion was dedicated 27 years ago. Our thanks to the Van Buren Parks Department for their hard work restoring the pavilion and nearby playground area for the community.

Rev. Wes Hilliard tells a chaplain's story of Iraq

There are all sorts of heroes, especially in wartime. The Van Buren Rotary Club was honored on February 19th to have as its guest speaker, Chaplain Wes Hilliard, Lt. Colonel, Arkansas Army National Guard, who recently returned from his second tour of duty, this time in southern Iraq. Using pictures taken while overseas and a mixture of humor and straight-from-the-shoulder stories, Hilliard conveyed not only a few of his own experiences in Iraq, but the vitally important ministry carried on by all military chaplains at home and abroad. Hilliard also serves as the lead pastor at Heritage United Methodist Church in Van Buren. Welcome home.

Paula Morton Rotarian of the Day, arranged for the program and introduced Rev. Hilliard.

RI President-elect John Kenny's keynote at PETS only a month away

Members have less than a month to purchase tickets for themselves and their guests to hear Rotary International President-elect, John Kenny, address the PETS Luncheon at the regional training session in Fort Smith. Kenny will become President of Rotary International at the International Convention in Birmingham, England in June. The Luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, March 21st at 12:00 noon in the Holiday Inn, City Center, Fort Smith. Tickets are available from most club secretaries for $20.00 per person.

For more information about President-elect Kenny see: http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/kenny_bio.pdf

Rotary Clubs distribute dictionaries to 3rd-graders

By Brett Peters, Dictionary Project Chair

The Van Buren Rotary Club distributed dictionaries to 3rd grade students at Cedarville, Mountainburg, Mulberry, and Van Buren this year. The Alma Rotary Club partnered with us this year to distribute dictionaries in Alma. The county wide project costs approximately $1,800 per year, and half of the annual cost is donated by Citizens Bank & Trust Company. A donation from Clovis and Pat Satterfield to the Alma Rotary Club helped cover the cost of the dictionaries for the Alma 3rd-graders.

This is the fifth year for the project by the Van Buren Rotary Club, and since its beginning, our club have distributed approximately 4,000 dictionaries to Crawford County Schools. Thanks to all the schools and teachers who participated in the project and the Rotarians who helped distribute the dictionaries in all the 3rd grade classrooms.

Updated: For more information about the District 6110 Literacy Project see: http://www.rotaryliteracy.com/
Pictures of the Mountainburg Elementary dictionary distribution are on the Mountainburg Dragons web page: http://www.mountainburg.org/
Short Video from the dictionary distribution at Alma Elementary School: http://almarotary.blogspot.com/2008/12/dictionary-distribution_26.html

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" previews at Rotary to rave reviews!

Millie Dillmount (Brittany Redding) and Miss Dorothy Brown (Deidre Fears) came into Feb 12th Rotary meeting like the roaring 20's, and in costume, to present a preview of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," a musical production by the Van Buren High School Theater and Music Departments. Introduced by Tom Watkins, Van Buren School District Fine Arts Center Director, Redding and Fears provided a spirited rendition of one of the many songs from the Broadway musical which was greeted with smiles and applause from the Rotary audience. Watkins added that the entire cast and crew have been working hard at rehearsals in anticipation of the February 27 opening.

"If the rest of the performance is as good as the sample, it will be a delightful evening," offered one Rotarian after the meeting.

Performances will be on February 27 and 28 at 7:00 P.M. and on March 1 at 2:00 P.M. Tickets are $6.00 and may be purchased online at www.centerforfinearts.org or by calling 471-4017 between 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Invitation to Beginner's Bonsai Class

From: Sue Moore, Rotarian of the Day, Jan. 15, 2009

Received letter from the American Bonsai Nursery. "Thank you for inviting us to the Rotary Club" We certainly appreciate the Rotary members' attention during our presentation. We wish to invite everyone to visit with us at our nursery anytime, and even our beginner's class on February 21."

AC Moncrief won the "adoption" rights of a Barbados cherry bonsai. Several think he will need the beginner's class!

For more information on bonsai see: http://www.american-bonsai.com/

Alma Rotary Club investing in their community

Congratulations to all the members of the Alma Rotary Club, who broke ground on January 14, 2009 on the Alma Rotary Community Center. The club is one of the newest clubs in District 6110 receiving their charter on June 30, 2008. Working in partnership with Alma's city government the Alma Rotarians hope to have completed the new facility during 2009.

Click on the picture for a larger view. You can see more pictures from the ground breaking ceremony at; http://www.almarotary.blogspot.com/

DG Ron Petersen announces release on matching foundation points!!!

In District Governor Ron Petersen's November Blog, he called on all Rotarians in District 6110 to support the Rotary Foundation.

Consider giving just $25 a quarter over the course of every year through electronic funds transfer (EFT). Your giving will insure that future projects will not go undone. Thanks primarily to PDG Gerald Harp's continuing generosity, we still have matching Foundation credits available for Rotarians who sign up for EFT. Want more information? Go to www.ri6110.org where you can download the form to make your gift today, then lead the way as an example and be proud to stand up and challenge every member of your club to do the same.

A very generous PDG Gerald Harp provided $50,000.00 in matching foundation points for new EFT signups during the 2008-09 Rotary year. According to DG Petersen, "We find that we have a balance of nearly $31,000 in Gerald's foundation points remaining in the account, and Gerald has agreed to allow us to use these points to provide a match for Paul Harris Fellowships until the balance is used up within this Rotary year." [Emphasis added.]

The district will continue to match new EFT signups through the end of June until the balance is used up. This means that new EFT sign-ups received before June 30 will be matched. Your EFT donation program will remain in place until you notify RI that you no longer wish to participate.

The district has just four months to implement this program; so if you want to take advantage of Gerald's generous offer, please do not delay. This offer continues on a first come first serve basis until points are depleted.

The applications must be sent to Terri Pollmiller, Dist. 6110 Administrator, to qualify for the matching points. Contact your club secretary for assistance in obtaining the forms and making sure the paperwork is processed so that you get full Paul Harris Foundation and district credit for participation in the program.

UPDATE: 4/16/09 Club Presidents have been advised that matching points for this year's Rotary Foundation giving program have been depleted. Thanks to all who participated.

For more information see: Annual Program Funds (Every Rotarian Every Year)

Dennis Gilstrap provides Emergency Management Update

Thanks to Dennis Gilstrap, for an update on the recent activities of the Crawford County Emergency Management Department at the February 5, 2009 meeting. All levels of federal, state and local disaster assistance have been active as many communities in NW Arkansas endured one of the worst ice storms in living memory. Dennis stressed the importance of each family having their own emergency plans and preparing a 3-day supply kit with basic necessities. Businesses also need to make emergency plans to "stay in business" following severe weather. If you missed the emergency preparedness web address Dennis mentioned, checklists and help with family and business emergency planning can be found at: www.ready.gov

Photo: Arkansas State Parks E-Newsletter Click on the blue link to view the newsletter and more info about Arkansas' State Parks.

Gates Foundation donates $255 million to help Rotary fight polio

From Rotary International News, 29 January 2009
Rotary Photo/Monika Lozinska-Lee

Last week during the 2009 International Assembly, Bill Gates announced a new US$255 million challenge grant to Rotary in the global effort to eradicate polio. In response to the new grant, Rotary will raise $100 million in matching funds. In November 2007, RI received a $100 million Gates Foundation grant, which Rotary committed to match by raising $100 million.

"...Rotary International and other donors are doing a great job so far coming up with the extra resources that are needed (for polio eradication)," Gates states in the letter. "Just this month I went to a Rotary meeting and helped announce more than $600 million in new money from various sources that will go toward eradicating polio."

Update: View a short video of Bill Gates' remarks to the RI Assembly : http://www.6110times.org/news/09/02/03/gates/gatesvideo.html

For more information, see: http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/090129_news_gatesletter.aspx