Greetings Everyone,       

Great meeting this week.  Thanks to Warren Franke we had Marty Barnhart from the Omaha Community Landbank come and give us an update.  They have done some amazing work in organizing the efforts for distressed properties in Omaha.  They are focusing on Acquiring, maintaining, and disposing of properties that have come under all sorts of distresses.  Many of the houses have code violations or are vacant and have become rundown and unsafe.  The Landbank is able to find buyers, clear up liens, and in some cases demolish and repurpose the land to a new home site or other favorable use.  Marty had some great stories of successes and even talked about a partnership with Metro Community College to supply house lots for the homes being constructed in their home construction lab.  These homes will be able to be transported and installed on the lot and then sold.  What a great partnership.  Thanks Cella and Warren for another great and very informative program.
 

Special thanks to Kathy Estes for a terrific social at her home last Friday and to Deb Skinner for lining us up on Ollie the Trollie for a lights tour.  Great job to the social committee for a fun event.  Make sure you get out and participate in these events it is a great way to network and get to know your Rotary club members. 
 

We are working away on our challenge for giving in two big ways. 

1.  Please donate to the Service fund to fund our projects done throughout the year in our Rotary club.

2.  We are hoping to have 100% member participation in giving to Rotary international this year.  I am told  this would be the first time in the history of our club that we have met the challenge.  Help us get there!  You can give in any amount and we have matching points to give out to new contributors to help reach your Paul Harris award.  This is the time, show your support of Rotary!
 

Don't miss the Holiday Luncheon Dec. 19th, we will have wine, and entertainment.  It will be fun.