Newsletter October 10, 2016 (Oct 10, 2016)

Smoky Hill Rotary visits Downtown Aurora Visual Arts

Posted on Oct 17, 2016

What an inspirational organization and something we need more of! DAVA is the Downtown Aurora Visual Arts center. They have recently undergone some renovations and the facility is now larger and more capable of serving more of Aurora's youth and families. DAVA also takes full advantage of our RYLA program. We had 4 RYLA graduates greet us and speak with us both about their experiences with RYLA and their roles with DAVA. In addition to encouraging creativity and personal expression, DAVA really works with youth to develop the skills they'll need in the future such as personal responsibility, community impact, commitment, attendance and being on time. DAVA does a couple of gallery shows every year. The current gallery theme is transportation. They also will be doing a holiday show and boutique - you'll definitely want to include DAVA in your holiday shopping! DAVA has been selected to decorate the Christmas Tree at the White House. Each group was working hard at getting their ornaments ready for their journey to Washington DC. Each group was taking on a different theme that represents Colorado. Should be a pretty spectacular tree!

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts

For those of you unable to join us on October 17th for the offsite tour of DAVA, you missed out! What an inspirational organization and something we need more of! DAVA is the Downtown Aurora Visual Arts center. They have recently undergone some renovations and the facility is now larger and more capable of serving more of Aurora's youth and families. DAVA also takes full advantage of our RYLA program. We have 4 RYLA graduates greet us and speak with us both about their experiences with RYLA and their roles with DAVA. In addition to encouraging creativity and personal expression, DAVA really works with youth to develop the skills they'll need in the future such as personal responsibility, community impact, commitment, attendance and being on time. DAVA does a couple of gallery shows every year. The current gallery theme is transportation. They also will be doing a holiday show and boutique - you'll definitely want to include DAVA in your holiday shopping! DAVA has been selected to decorate the Christmas Tree at the White House. Each group was working hard at getting their ornaments ready for their journey to Washington DC. Each group was taking on a different theme that represents Colorado. Should be a pretty spectacular tree!

DAVA is funded through the Special Arts District funding and grants. The program is free to students, but they do have to go through an application process to be accepted. The sky is the limit with creativity! Kids have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of mediums from computer graphics to robotics to plastics to recyclables to fiber to pen and ink. We had a great time exploring the various rooms and seeing examples of all the different projects completed and in progress. Within the transportation show in the primary gallery, DAVA students had built 2 types of shelters that could be used by someone who is homeless. They put much effort into finding materials that were light weight and could be moved easily, but were also heat tolerant and a protection from weather. One even included 'mood' lighting! This was a great event and I'm sure we all look forward to great things coming from DAVA and great things for youth that get to be a part of this organization.

MEETING NOTES

CLUB MEETING NOTES:

President Denny Passantino opened the meeting with just a little history:

771: It is said that Charlemagne became the sole King of the Franks after the death of his brother Carloman. The next year, he launched a 30-year military campaign to bring order to Europe, which encompassed what is now France, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands and parts of what is now Italy, Germany, Austria and Spain.

1933: The 21st amendment to the US Constitution is ratified bringing an end to Prohibition!

1945: Flight 19, now known as The Lost Squadron, disappears hours after take off from Fr. Lauderdale Naval Air Station. The flight consisted of 5 Navy Avengers and 14 airmen. The remains of the aircraft and airmen were never found which helped create the legend of the Bermuda Triangle.

1978: What free agent signed a 4 year, $32 million dollar contract with the Philadelphia Phillies becoming the highest paid baseball player? Pete Rose!

Thank you Craig Essex for leading the pledge.

Thank you to our greeters, Pat Pogue and Mark Rank.

Denny was recognized today with his Paul Harris pin. Denny's contributions are enough to fund sewing classes for 10 students for 10 sessions in South Africa giving these students a skill that allows them to do more with their lives.

Darryl shared we are collecting gifts for Century Elementary. Hopefully you got a name of a child today - if not, contact Darryl and he may still have some names. We need the wrapped gifts, with the tag attached on the outside, by 12/12 - our next meeting! Thank you!

Bill is collecting gift cards for Gateway Domestic Violence Services. We've collected over $700 already! Original goal was $500 - can we make it to $1000? Gift cards of $15-$25 are best - King Soopers, Safeway, Walmart, Walgrens, CVS - all good choices! December 12th is the last day to collect gift cards. Gateway is struggling this year to collect the number of cards they need.

Thursday, December 15th is the Annual State of the State Luncheon. It starts at noon at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.

Thank you Bruce and Al for helping out on the backpack project and thanks to all who helped fill them at the meeting today!

Christmas Party is December 19th at 6pm at Summit! Watch your inbox for your invitation and please RSVP by 12/12! And, Merry Christmas from our Board! Lunch fee will be applied to our dinner. The balance for Members and spouses will be covered by the club! The first drink is also on the club!

Gail Lehrman joined us today and presented a special banner to PFC Hugh Radke and IPP Dave Maxwell. Smoky Hill Rotary was recognized as having the highest contributions per capita in the district for 2015-2016! We are just one of 1500 clubs worldwide to get this recognition!

Rocky Mountain Youth Exchange is looking for host families. If you are interested in opening your heart and your home to an exchange student for a few months, please see Denny.

GOOD NEWS and THANK YOU to Susan Aubin who has worked diligently to get our website up and running again!

Stump the Rotarian - today was Pat Pogue! He has been a certified river runner on a number of rivers and was also a top foosball player in the 70's!

Thumbnail photo from Peaceful Schools event on 12/8/2016 at Century Elementary!