We will be meeting at the Wyndham Mining Exchange Hotel this week instead of Johnny Martin's as I announced at last week's meeting. Please come to the Mining Exchange instead. If you drive to the Antler's by mistake, a shuttle will bring you to the Mining Exchange. You can self park on the street by feeding the meter or park in the public parking garage south of the Mining Exchange at Nevada and Colorado or you can have the valet service at the Mining Exchange that will cost you about $9.00.
There is a Rotary effort to help the hurricane victims in Texas and Florida. If we want to give to these areas that were so hard hit, we can do so through our own Service Fund and then we can forward the money to Rotary International. Here is what I have received from the District:
"Hurricane Harvey is predicted to be the costliest natural disaster in the history of the U.S., with a damage cost exceeding Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina. AccuWeather predicts that the damage cost will hit $160 billion.
A Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Donor Advised Fund has been established under The Rotary Foundation to assist these communities."
The "What IF" celebration last Saturday was a smashing success. We had lots of volunteers helping out at our booth. Caryn Adams and the crew were selling raffle tickets and there were 88 sold for a total of $880!! Cass Daley organized the whole affair and was admirably helped by: Vance and Annie Valades, Gavin Light, Juliana Howard, Kent Palmer, Maggie Andrews, Michaela Smith, Elijah Hopkins, Samantha Chapman, Kay Rendleman, Cass's family, and a whole lot of kids (around 600) making butterflies out of drinking straws and pipe cleaners that Cass ingeniously invented. One of the artists was also present and helped out. I hope many of you had a chance to enjoy the day downtown.
Don't forget that the Gala ticket price includes not only incredibly prepared food and a very fancy-shmancy atmosphere, but also valet parking is included, hors d'oeuvres, and complimentary red and white wines at the table, There is still time to sponsor a table of 8 for $1,600, which will include champagne, high-end chocolates, your name prominently displayed, and other goodies. Other tables will have 10 guests but it will be more spacious at a table of 8, if you wish to sponsor one and invite your friends. A REMINDER: THE PRICE GOES UP TO $150 ON SEPTEMBER 23RD FROM $125 NOW FOR TICKETS TO THE GALA. Buy your tickets now on-line or at our Rotary meeting this Friday and next to save $50 a couple!
My thanks to Rodney Gullatte for all his work on our website for Gala, taking videos at the meetings, and all the other great things he does for the club (including leading our songs, occasionally).
We have a number of Paul Harris Fellows to recognize in the coming weeks and it is gratifying to see so many of our members supporting our club as well as Rotary International. Thank you!
We apologize for the late notice but there is a change of plans for this Friday, we will be meeting at the Mining Exchange instead of the Johnny Martin's. For those not familiar, here are the directions:
Directions: The Mining Exchange Hotel is located on the corner of Pikes Peak Avenue and Nevada Ave. We have reserved the Grand Ballroom for your luncheon. This ballroom is located on the main floor south of the front desk. Parking is located on the street through meters, or the Public parking garage located on Colorado And Nevada. This garage does charge $.75, per hour or a cap of $6.75 per day. Another parking option is valet parking , for events it is $9.00.
Our club will be having a Luau on Sunday, September 17th, at the home of Jack and Doris Donley. The price will be $25 each. Smoked pork and brisket will be the main course (made in Jack's giant smoker), along with other Luau favorites. We only have room for 50 Rotarians and guests so please sign up early if you wish to attend. Jack and Doris promise that "Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho will be played, along with other Hawaiian favorites. I don't think we'll have poi, however, to eat! Beer and wine and punch will be provided - if you wish to indulge in other alcoholic beverages, please bring your own libations. This is the first Social organized by my Czar of Ambiance and Energy, Kevin Stevenson, along with his wife Sheri and Karen Rubin as co-chairs. Again, only 50 or so can attend so let Kevin or me know if you are planning on coming or you may email Karen Rubin at rockinkrubin@gmail.com. It will be a great evening, starting at 4:00 pm. Your check, made out to Colorado Springs Rotary Club (turned into Claudine and not the cashier), guarantees your reservation.
Thank you, Jack and Doris, for generously providing your home for this event for our members. Sign up sheets will be passed around at our meetings on Fridays.
Join Rotary Prime for a social at Cowboy Star benefiting the Flight Gala! Drink Specials will be provided with a portion of proceeds going to Rotary and raffle tickets for the "Four Seasons" butterfly will be on sale for $10. If you can't join for the evening stop by Cowboy Star anytime until the end of October and a portion of the drink special sales will still be donated to Rotary. Hope you can join us as Rotary Prime supports the Downtown Rotary Club of Colorado Springs annual gala. You can RSVP here:
Flight is fast approaching and the Flight Silent Auction Committee has requested that anyone who has committed to donating an item or items, please deliver them to one of the committee members no later than Aug. 30. If you are donating an activity or trip, please contact Veta Fleming at vfleming@kachinainsurance.com or 719-471-3671.
If you have been thinking about donating to the auction, it is not too late. The committee would love to hear from you.
