A reminder about posting comments

As most of you know by now, comments on this blog are welcomed, even encouraged, but moderated: first, to make sure that if anyone has a comment, question or suggestion that is relevant to the post, someone will see that comment and respond accordingly; second, to make sure a legitimate question can get an email answer if an email address is included with the comment. As a rule, we filter anonymous comments that do not specifically pertain to the blog entry and unsolicited commercial advertisements, etc. As to the anonymous compliments, they are read and appreciated - whether deserved or not...\B)

King Elementary PTA hosts 5th Annual 5K "Run with the Knights"

For the last five years, the King Elementary School PTA has sponsored a 5K Run as a fund-raiser for the 4th Grade Camp program. This year, the run is scheduled for April 10th and starts at 8:30 A.M. in front of the school. On site registration will be available from 6:30 to 7:30 A.M. A brochure with all the relevant details and application form is available online.

Once again, Rotarians have been asked to help provide crossing guards at critical intersections along the route. Rotarians may volunteer to help by email to info@vbsd.us/king or phone 479-474-2661.

Sylvester Smith asks who pays for change?

Like so many Rotarians, Sylvester Smith has watched the 2008-10 election cycle with a lot of interest, and he shared several of his observations with the Van Buren Rotary Club on Thursday, March 11th. He has enjoyed several unique vantage points from which to make those observations, first as a policy advisor to Gov. Mike Huckabee and serving both Gov. Huckabee and our current Gov. Mike Beebe as Director of Small and Minority Business Development at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. From his vantage point of working to promote small and minority businesses and the impacts of major changes in health care and efforts to limit excessive carbon emissions, Mr. Smith's common concern throughout the discussion was, "Who pays?"

Mr. Smith received his MBA from Harding University and has been named one of the "40 under 40" business leaders by Arkansas Business and one of the 20 most influential African Americans by Powerplay Magazine. He currently is President of  Change Agents, a lobbying and public relations firm whose client list includes the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

Rotarian of the Day, Stan Vlademar introduced Mr. Smith, whom he met while both men were participating in the Leadership Arkansas training program several years ago.

VBHS Interact Club raises money to eliminate polio

The new Van Buren High School Interact Club's first Purple Pinkie Project raised over $300 by the end of lunch time today, March 8, 2010, with several hours remaining in the one-day special event. When children have polio immunizations overseas, one of their little fingers is dipped in purple ink to make sure they don't accidentally take a second dose of the vaccine before the permanent ink wears off. The high school students and adults donating a dollar today had their little finger painted to show they too were also fighting polio. The funds raised by the students will protect children in countries were polio is still a real threat today and help wipe out polio in their lifetime.

According to Shirley Williams, President of the Van Buren Rotary Club, the students did almost all of the planning, finding support materials and ideas on the Rotary International website, and quickly preparing a PowerPoint presentation to explain the plan to club members. Shirley added, "I was overwhelmed with their obvious enthusiasm for their newly formed club."

One of the Interact Club sponsors, Missy Hefner had a personal reason to join the fight against polio. Her father had polio as a child. Click on the purple underlined link to jump to Channel 5's news reporter, Jared Broyles, special video report on the Purple Pinkie Project and hear Missy's story in her own words.

Ten Rotarians volunteered to help during various parts of the day, but the Rotarians met the students and mostly observed as the Interact students and sponsors had things well organized and running smoothly. The VBHS Interact students are an impressive group of young people and look to be off to a grand start.

UAFS Dept of Music programs and upcoming concerts

Dr. Edward White, representing the Department of Music, discussed the wide range of courses and programs leading to a Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Music offered at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. During his March 4th presentation, Dr. White was joined by his wife, Dr. Katherine White, who also teaches voice  at UAFS, singing several duets accompanied by Kristin Ditlow on the piano.

Dr. White also invited the Van Buren Rotarians, guests and members of the community to several featured performances scheduled for April:
April 5      Musical Theater Showcase (Free) 
                  Reynolds Rm. UAFS Campus Ctr., 7:30 p.m.
April 8      Jazz Concert
                  FS Convention Center, 7:30 p.m.
April 13    Chorale Concert
                  FS Convention Center, 7:30 p.m.
April 16   Chad Burrow, Clarinet
                  Breedlove Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
April 22   Symphonic Band Concert,
                  FS Convention Center, 7:30 p.m.

Noting that a number of scholarships are available to high school graduates, Dr. White added that scholarship auditions are conducted three times each year.  More information about the UAFS music programs and scholarships is available at: http://www.uafortsmith.edu/music.

GSE Team and Earthquake Update

TO:  ROTARY DISTRICT 6110 ROTARIANS FROM:   A. C. MONCRIEF RE:   CHILE At this time we have been told all of our Vision Team members are safe and continuing with their planned project.  All of the visiting GSE team members are safe, but one member, Teresa Araya  and her family have lost everything, their home, all possessions. If you like to make a contribution on behalf of Teresa, or even a general contribution, which can be assigned as we receive more information,please make your check payable to: MEDICAL SUPPLIES NETWORK ATTN:   LARRY BIRON, DIRECTOR 1123 SOUTH ERIE TULSA, OK 74112-5307 On the subject line write FBO  Teresa Araya Or  Rotary 6110  Chile Relief As more news develops and for detailed reports on how the funds paid to MSNI  501-c-3 on behalf of Teresa and Chile please go to our ri6110.org. website. Thank you, A.C.Moncrief DG 6110  09-10 UPDATED: 3/1/08 - 5:50 P.M. - Email messages from Caroline Aedo and Teresa Araya were appended to The City Wire news story earlier today at: http://www.thecitywire.com/index.php?q=node/8545. UPDATED: 3/5/10 - The Rotary International Weekly Update newsletter reports on RI's efforts in Chile. See: http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/100302_news_chile.aspx