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Standing My Watch - observations and experiences of more than 30 years in public safety
Oct. 03, 2019 12:00 p.m.
Standing My Watch Harry Evans recalls observations and experiences of more than 30 years in public safety. Standing the watch is the assignment of sailors to specific roles on a ship to operate it continuously. These assignments, are constantly active as they are considered essential to the safe operation of the vessel, and also allow the ship to respond to emergencies and other situations quickly. About Harry Evans: Harry Evans joined the Austin Fire Department in 1985; prior to that he was a U.S. Army paratrooper. With over 30 years in public safety, Chief Evans served in every rank and worked in nearly every division of the department, he was certified in a diverse range of special operations disciplines. He was also a member of Texas Task Force 1, a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team and the Capital Area Incident Management Team, responding to disasters across Texas. In 2009 Chief Evans was appointed to the rank of Assistant Chief and also was named Chief of Staff, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 11th largest fire department in the U.S. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 2015. Harry is now a Senior Research Fellow in the Center for Research on Water Resources at the University of Texas in Austin. Harry is also the Principle of HRE Consulting, an Austin-based consultancy specializing in leadership, human capital & employee development. |
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Raising Bevo and the Sunrise Vistas Ranch
Oct. 10, 2019 12:00 p.m.
Betty Baker and the Sunrise Vistas Ranch have been the proud owners of several of the Bevos showing as the UT-Austin Longhorn mascot. She will speak extemporaneosly about raising Bevo, and what it takes to be a Longhorn in the public eye.
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Waterskiing Champions
Oct. 17, 2019 12:00 p.m.
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NO MEETING - Happy Halloween!
Oct. 31, 2019 12:00 p.m.
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Nov. 01, 2019 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Calling for West Austin Rotary Volunteers: Place: Wooldridge Elementary School
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How KVUE Covers News in 2019
Nov. 07, 2019 12:00 p.m.
About Tim Ryan: Tim Ryan became news director at KVUE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Austin, Texas in July 2017. Before that he was assistant news director at 9NEWS (KUSA & KTVD) the NBC affiliate in Denver, where he worked in a variety of roles from 1991 to 2017. During his time in Denver, Ryan participated in or managed coverage of stories including the visit of Pope John Paul II to Colorado in 1993, the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999, the Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games in 2002, the Denver Democratic National Convention in 2008 and the Aurora theater tragedy in 2012. Since joining KVUE in 2017, the station has covered Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath as well as the March 2018 Austin bombings, which was recognized by the Texas Associated Press and the Headliners Foundation for spot news coverage. Before moving to Denver, Ryan held various TV newsroom positions including reporter, photographer, producer, anchor and assignment editor at KAKE-TV in Wichita and KFSM-TV in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Ryan is a 1985 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism and earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Colorado at Denver in 1997. His master’s thesis described the history of 9NEWS from its establishment in 1952. He served four years as president of the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) in Colorado and another four as national trustee. NATAS awards regional Emmy awards for excellence in television and video. He earned four Heartland Emmy awards. Ryan also spent 15 years in volunteer leadership positions with the Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and served as a community representative on the Colorado Channel Authority Board, the group responsible for TV coverage of the Colorado legislature. In Texas, he’s a member of the Lone Star Emmy Board of Governors and a board member of the Capital Area Council for the Boy Scouts. Ryan and his wife Brenda have three children. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoys reading history and most days can name all the American presidents in order and the years they served.
Email: timryan@kvue.com Twitter: timryankvue LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timryan6/ |
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Nov. 12, 2019 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
CIEN AMIGOS Tuesday, November 12, 2019 |
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Tanzania Library Project
Nov. 14, 2019 12:00 p.m.
Andy will be presenting work he and his wife did with Global Outreach Tanzania, a Non-Government Organization (NGO) with the vision of computer literacy enhancing educational operational opportunities for Africa’s most needy. The vision of Global Outreach is to introduce computer literacy into the curriculum of secondary schools in central Tanzania, and to then use that capability and knowledge to improve the quality of education in all subjects. Our focus is on improving educational opportunities in remote locations which accommodate the poorest of the country's student population, often in villages that lack many 21st century basics. http://www.globaloutreachtanzania.org/index.html About Andy Hochhalter: Andy leads the Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) WW Sales Excellence Programs Team. He is responsible for Go-to-Market processes and growth programs across the Hybrid IT business. Andy’s team of program managers delivers acquisition, new product, and organic growth initiatives to field sales around the world. Prior to joining HP in 2012, Andy worked as Sales Operations Director at Dell where he managed teams supporting relationship customers and sales through the account engagement lifecycle. He also managed a staging and integration facility, and served as product manager for the company’s first global ERP system deployment. Prior to joining Dell, Andy managed cost systems at IBM’s Networking Hardware division, and worked in Treasury and Financial accounting at PacifiCorp, a diversified utility company. Andy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University and an MBA from University of North Carolina Kenan Flagler School of Business. He earned a Certified Management Accounting certificate, and is a Net Promoter Certified Associate. Andy’s current office location is Austin, Texas.
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Nov. 15, 2019 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Nov. 16, 2019 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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America's Astronomy Partnership with Chile.
Nov. 21, 2019 12:00 p.m.
New astronomical discoveries from telescopes in Chile headline the science press every week or two. The US, Europe and Japan have partnered with Chile to create engines for scientific discovery that not only take advantage of the clearest skies in the world, but the technical talents of scientists, engineers, and technicians from Chile. The 2019 Astronomy in Chile Educator Amabasador Program expedition sponsored by the National Science foundation gave American astronomy educators and amateur astronomers and back stage look at these great telescopes and some of the thousands of people who make them work. Rob will share images and insights from the ACEAP trip including a visit to the ALMA radio telescope, the highest observatory in the world at 16,500’. About Rob Pettengill, Ph.D. Rob Pettengill is an engineer, astrophotographer, sidewalk astronomer, & astronomy educator from Austin, Texas. He gives science education programs as an astronomy ambassador for NASA JPL SSA and the NSF/AUI ACEAP programs. His BadAstroPhotos.com images and how-to content are free for non-commercial reuse by educators and amateur astronomers in 168 countries. In social media, his outreach is on Flickr, Facebook, Instagram, Cloudy Nights, and Quora, where he’s a “most read” astrophotography and amateur astronomy author. Rob earned his Ph.D. at Stanford for research in medical microelectronics. His work included a prototype of a solid state implantable insulin pump. At Texas Instruments, he designed speech synthesis and recognition integrated circuits for NATO air to ground communications. He implemented computer-aided software design systems at MCC. As a principal engineer, he helped Schlumberger become a world leader in corporate knowledge management and web communications. Today, he explores the limits of digital astrophotography with ultra-portable equipment. |
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NO MEETING - Happy Thanksgiving !
Nov. 28, 2019 12:00 p.m.
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Ed Clements of KLBJ 590 AM
Dec. 05, 2019 12:00 p.m.
Ed Clements of KLBJ 590 AM will join us for a thrilling conversation about media and the market in Austin. Born in 1955 to Ferris (Poochie) and Janie Clements, Ed Clements was raised in Brownwood, a small, central-Texas town located two hours west of Austin, Texas. Ed has two sisters and two brothers. |
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Dec. 08, 2019 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Join us for our Annual Rotary Club of West Austin Wooldridge Elementary Shopping Spree at JCPenneys at the Lakeline Mall. This is our signature event with Wooldridge Elementary, where we take 20 students from the school for a shopping spree at JC Penneys at Lakeline Mall. In an energetic afternoon, we will buy clothing and outfit kids for school in 2020. The Spanish Honor Society students from McCallum High School will join us to assist. |
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Club Assembly Nomination of Officers
Dec. 12, 2019 12:00 p.m.
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The Story Behind "Desiderata"
Dec. 19, 2019 12:00 p.m.
How many of you have read or heard the line, “Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.”? It is the opening line in a simple poem or credo expressed in 286 words. Its derivation was widely believed to have been from an unknown author, the text of which was found in a church more than 300 years ago. In fact, the work was from a Twentieth Century poet, Max Ehrmann. The author published many books of poetry, and “Desiderata” was included in a small book published posthumously in 1948 that was edited by his widow, Bertha. In Latin, Desiderata means, “Things to be desired” and it reminds readers to strive for high ideals by treating others kindly, accept who they are, and to be gentle with themselves. The story of how this inspiring and beloved poem came into popularity in the 1960s is remarkable. Today’s presentation will trace its origins from obscurity to mainstream usage by politicians, actors, and artists. About Mark Kurusz: BA English 1971; merchant seaman (1965-1971 part-time); married, 3 daughters; trained on-the-job at Hershey Medical Center 1971-1974 as clinical perfusionist (operates heart-lung machine during cardiac surgery); staff perfusionist there until 1977 when recruited to University of Texas Medical Branch; semi-retired 2006, moved to Austin; author/editor 100+ scientific articles, 4 textbooks, >25 book chapters, many editorials; Rotarian with Rotary Club of West Austin since 2011, and President-Elect for Rotary Year 2020-2021. |
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NO MEETING - Happy Boxing Day !
Dec. 26, 2019 12:00 p.m.
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NO MEETING - Happy New Year !
Jan. 02, 2020 12:00 p.m.
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The Pale Blue Dot - This Dynamic Earth
Jan. 09, 2020 12:00 p.m.
International Space Station astronauts, like Space Shuttle crews before them, orbit the Earth every ninety minutes, traveling at a ground speed of about four nautical miles per second. As the continents pass below, the characteristic colors and textures of each become familiar -- the rolling red-gold dunefields and bare black volcanic shield of northern Africa, the brilliant blues of the Bahama Banks and the dark rumpled ridges of the Appalachians of eastern North America, the jagged icy whiteness of the Himalayas and the great braids of the Brahmaputra and Ganges Rivers carrying bits of the mountains to the Indian Ocean. Astronauts receive general instruction in geology, geography, ecology, oceanography, and meteorology. Mission-specific briefings on current research issues -- such as endangered coral reefs in the Pacific, volcanism in the Caribbean, active faults and mountain-building along the tectonic plate boundary in New Zealand -- are presented to the crew, once it’s known what regions will be visible when they are in orbit. They are asked to take photographs of sites and phenomena that may help resolve outstanding scientific questions, and they are alerted to dynamic events while they’re in orbit. Thus, they collaborate in research with earthbound scientists. Since 1981 Shuttle, Mir, and International Space Station crew members have taken more than 3,681,175 photographs of Earth and have documented erupting volcanoes, developing hurricanes, extreme fluctuations of lake and inland sea levels, fires, floods, and continent-scale dust storms. These data allow us to quantify the rates at which natural processes operate -- e.g., river delta growth and coastal erosion, the areas affected, and linkages among processes in widely separated regions. Changes can be interpreted in concert with real-time tectonic plate movements measured by GPS, and images can be rectified to maps and co-displayed in GIS with other types of data. Search the database, view and download digital images from Apollo, Gemini, Mercury, Skylab, Mir, Space Shuttle and Space Station missions (3,715,938 as of Dec. 5, 2019) at https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos Search by clickable map or by place name, class of features (e.g., volcanoes), mission, photo ID (mission/roll/frame). Special collections of outstanding scenes include Earth from Space, NASA Earth Observatory, Capital Cities, Lunar, Natural Hazards & Disasters, Volcanoes and others at https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/Collections/. About Dr. Patricia Wood Dickerson Pat Dickerson is a geologist and visiting research fellow with the Jackson School of Geosciences - University of Texas at Austin and the American Geosciences Institute. Her field research focuses on rifts of the world: Iceland, Oslo rift, the Rio Grande rift, as well as on mountain-building: the North American Cordillera and Rocky Mts., Argentine Andes, Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico, Norwegian and Scottish Caledonides, the southwestern Appalachian chain, and Southern Alps of New Zealand. Long intrigued by the interplay of geologic processes and human activities, she was schooled in geology and classical archaeology (B.A.), then geology/tectonics (Ph.D.) at UT-Austin. She draws from those experiences in leading geological and natural history field seminars for Smithsonian groups (since 2003), for students and professional scientists. Pat has served on task forces to develop scientific strategies for exploring the Moon and Mars, and she collaborates with NASA on field training to prepare astronauts for such missions. |
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Citizen Discourse
Jan. 16, 2020 12:00 p.m.
Citizen Discourse's technology free workshop experiences welcome participants to unplug from the online chatter and plug in to the present moment. Drawing from social psychology, brain science, and restorative justice practices, Citizen Discourse workshops help organizations cultivate respectful cultures that foster trust and belonging. In his Atlantic Monthly article, Paul Barnwell asks, Is there any 21st-century skill more important than being able to sustain confident, coherent conversation? To that end, Citizen Discourse workshops help grow social and emotional skills. What that means is participants will: a) hone active listening skills, b) think more critically about how they show up within intergroup dynamics, c) collect new mindfulness tools and, d) connect with values and purpose. By engaging in this work, participants develop relational connections that lead to communities built on a foundation of trust. As such, your community will feel a sense of belonging leading to greater retention and an overall happier culture. -- Karen E. Gross, JD Bio I'm Karen and I'm the founder of Citizen Discourse. I'm a lawyer who has worked in the Austin community for two decades. I founded Citizen Discourse out of a deep concern for the state of our polarized society and the impact this polarization has on democracy and how we treat one another. I believe with more empathy we can work through differences, which is desperately needed in today's landscape. I hope Citizen Discourse helps instill a kinder and more curious way of showing up in society. Here's a little more about me: Native to Connecticut and raised in El Paso, Texas, Karen earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Licensed in Texas, Karen spent a few years practicing criminal defense in Austin. Prior to that she had the honor of serving as community director for the Austin Anti-Defamation League, a non-profit committed in mission to securing justice and fair treatment for all. She oversaw the strategic growth and development of the office including the launch and implementation of the Austin/Travis County Hate Crimes Taskforce. This community-minded initiative has the stated mission of reducing hate and bias throughout central Texas. Before law school Karen served as a policy director for an Austin City Council member. This position helped instill a faith in democracy and good government. Three years ago, Karen began obsessing over an idea she called Citizen Discourse (CD). CD's mission is to further the development of an engaged, informed, and caring global society through workshops, trainings, campaigns and more. Learn more at www.citizendiscourse.org. Karen LOVES breakfast tacos, making big things happen, yoga, delicious (spicy) food -ideally shared with friends and family-and exploring places.
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Jan. 23, 2020 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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What is 3D Printing?
Jan. 23, 2020 12:00 p.m.
3D printing technology, is a process in which materials are joined to create a three dimensional object in almost any shape or geometry. 3D printers use over 100 different materials such as plastics, polymers, glass, and metal to create both unique and mass-produced products. The rapid price decline had made high-end 3D printers more affordable to entrepreneurs and now enables the creation and marketing of unique products without financial, technological, or human capital support from large organizations. This cutting-edge technology will have a wide range of applications that include medicine, construction, aerospace, and clothing. Many industry analysts believe that 3D printing may have a greater impact on the world over the next 20 years than all of the innovations from previous industrial revolutions combined. About Reina Wiatt Reina G. Wiatt, CMA, CPA has over 25 years experience in the fields of accounting and tax and serves clients through her consulting company, Wiatt Consulting Services, LLC. She is also an adjunct professor, the Treasurer of the Recognize Good Foundation, and a member of both the International Management Accountants (IMA) and the National Association of professional Women (NAPW). In addition to her consulting work, Ms. Wiatt has authored several articles on tax, accounting, charitable giving, and cutting edge technology. Her 2019 article and accompanying case study on Blockchain Technology earned her the United States Silver Medal. Ms. Wiatt can be contacted at trwiatt@swbell.net. |
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Jan. 30, 2020 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Meet in the Wooldridge Elementary School library for an update by the Student Council
Jan. 30, 2020 12:00 p.m.
The Rotary Club of West Austin will meet in the Wooldridge Elementary School Library for this Club meeting with the Student Council, School Librarians, and Student Advisors. Many thanks to Principal Ms Sheri Mull and Advisor Barbara Rogers. Wooldridge Elementary School |
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"Try to Win", with a simple three-step process to reach victories in life
Feb. 06, 2020 12:00 p.m.
Mike Barnes was a sportscaster in Austin from 1989 to 2019. Along the way he was named Best in Austin 17 times and Best in Texas 4 times. Mike has now partnered with his wife, Kim, for Barnes Team Media. They help people in business be more comfortable and effective being on-camera and with public speaking. Mike and Kim have two children. Their son, Brandon is a graduate of Texas A&M. Daughter Taylor is a sophomore at UT. |
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Homelessness in Austin
Feb. 13, 2020 12:00 p.m.
Jimmy Flannigan will speak to us about homelessness in the Austin area. He brings it from the perspective of how that aspect of our society occurs from the outset, all the way to what Austin is doing at present to curb and diminish it. About Jimmy Flannigan Council Member Jimmy Flannigan was elected to serve the people of Austin City Council District 6 in 2016. As a small business owner and community advocate living in far NW Austin since his college days, he brings a unique perspective to representing the geographically largest and farthest district from City Hall. Currently, he serves on a number of boards with regional focus, including the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Transportation Policy Board, and as Chair of the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) Economic Development District Board, among other appointments. Council Member Flannigan is proud to represent far NW Austin regarding issues which impact District 6 and its many constituents who live, work, and play in the greatest city in Texas. |
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Texas State Technical College in Hutto
Feb. 20, 2020 12:00 p.m.
Lissa Adams will speak to us about the changing higher education landscape, the value of technical education, and the ways that Texas State Technical College is contributing to educational and economic development locally and throughout the State of Texas.
About Lissa Adams An Austin native, Lissa Adams is an accomplished strategic business development professional, business owner, community advocate and trusted leader working closely with prominent industry and community partners throughout Texas for more than 15 years. Currently, she serves on a number of non-profit and regional impact boards, including NAMI Central Texas (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Chair of the Manor Schoolhouse Foundation, and the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) Economic Development District Board. In her Associate Provost role, Lissa is focused on increasing the level of student, civic and industry success by working with organizations to identify workforce needs, build meaningful pathways and share the opportunity of technical training and employment with community leaders and influencers. |
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Key National and Texas Mental Health Updates
Mar. 05, 2020 12:00 p.m.
Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr. is the fifth Executive Director to lead the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health since its creation in 1940 at The University of Texas at Austin, where he oversees the vision, mission, goals, strategic planning and day-to-day operations of the foundation.
About Dr. Octavio Martinez: Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., F.A.P.A., is executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin. The foundation’s grants and programs support mental health services, research, policy analysis, and public education projects in Texas. The Hogg Foundation is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at UT-Austin. Dr. Martinez also holds an appointment of Senior Associate Vice-President and heads up the Community Integrated Health Initiatives program for the Division. Additionally, he is a Professor of Psychiatry at Dell Medical School and Clinical Professor at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Dr. Martinez also serves on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Center for Preparedness and Response Board of Scientific Counselors and on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s, Health and Medicine Division’s Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity. He is a member of the board of directors for Trust for America’s Health, board member (and former chair) of the National Hispanic Council on Aging, member of the American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Steering Committee, a commissioner on the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health, an executive committee member of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium, and member of the Austin State Hospital Redesign Steering Committee. |
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Philanthropy vs. Fundraising
Mar. 12, 2020 12:00 p.m.
Tiffany will provide a history and overview of Concordia University Texas, followed by a general presentation on Philanthropy, why donors give to various organizations, benefits of supporting organizations, and the difference it has made in the world. About Tiffany Johnson:
Tiffany Johnson is Director of Development, Gift Planner at Concordia University Texas, specifically focusing on donor relations and major gifts. Before starting at Concordia in 2019, she worked for 7 years as the Director of Development at St. Francis School and also currently serves on the board of the Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools. In 2019, she founded Giving Tree Philanthropy LLC that has helped guide small private school fundraising in the Austin area. She has a Bachelor’s in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Colorado State University. She has also completed the certification courses for Fund Raising Management from The Fund Raising School at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and is a graduate of Leadership Austin Emerge Class of 2019. Tiffany is passionate about giving back in our community both in time and fiscal resources. She is a proud supporter of Concordia University Texas and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and South Texas.
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