Members welcomed guests: Felicia Martinez……honored teacher this month
Dan Dunlap……….Presentation
Felicia described the most memorable project from her 25 year teaching career:
As the G/T teacher her students proposed and helped design the Marfa Lights
Viewing Center on Highway 90. When asked what she would like to see at
that center now, she said she would like to see more attention paid to the indigenous
flora and fauna of the region, with plantings and information for tourists to read.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Club Treasurer, Rudy Garcia will present his report on club finances once a month, probably during the last meeting of each month.
DISCUSSIONS:
1. FOUR ENTRANCEWAYS to Marfa have been discussed before, but this
subject resurfaced during this meeting. The idea of creating an entrance gateway
into Marfa on each of the four main roads into town (90 East, 90 West, 67 South
and 17 North) is one that has much appeal.
Each entrance gate could be different, with sculptural elements created, possibly
expressing the multi-cultural nature of Marfa itself….
Dan Dunlap mentioned that the Chamber was re-doing the signs that welcome
visitors to Marfa.
2. CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL:
Johnny Calderon outlined more of his ideas for the Cinco de Mayo weekend, with plans to reserve the AMVETS HALL for that weekend’s Saturday night dance, where
Admission tickets would be sold in advance. NOTE: There is a deposit of $250 that is refunded if the hall is cleaned up after the event. Johnny said burritos and other food could also be sold at the dance.
A Queen of the Festival contest is proposed, with scholarships of $500 for the winner, and $250 for the runner up. Johnny says he will organize the contest, but that contestants might need advances of money to spend on their campaigns. The queen candidates would compete in more ways than just beauty. They would sell tickets to the dance, sell fund raising raffle tickets, have a booth at the Fiesta on Sunday, etc.
Concerns: a. Will Rotary having enough money in the till to advance money to the families of the candidates…..who would receive money and on what terms?
b. Will the candidates be able to work campaigns such as the ones envisioned into their schedules? Several teachers present reminded us that April-May is a very busy time with school prom preparations, sports and other events. Seniors especially are
busy with preparations for graduation.
3. SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE:
A small group of Rotarians will travel to San Juanito to be hosted at the NoriTari Cabins on the lakeshore north of town on February 3 through the 6th. Rotarians going are Jon Johnson, Rudy Garcia, Mona Garcia, Sandra Harper, Rachel Lindsey, and……
There are two other seats in the car, and as of this meeting it was not sure who could be free to take them. Jon said that February 4 being his and Aase’s anniversary, he wanted her to go. That still leaves one seat. Robin Lambaria had said she wanted to go but was not sure she could. Dr. J. will try to reach her.
Rudy reminded the group that we are not representing the community of Marfa at this point, but only ourselves and our club. We should therefore, be careful what we say to the people we meet on this first visit. Our goal is to meet some people who are interested in the Sister Cities idea, and who could conceivably come to Marfa during
the next few months to propose this relationship with Marfa.
4. RECYLING IN MARFA
Dan Dunlap presented together with commentary by Sandra Harper on the initiation of recycling in Marfa. The goals of the program are to reduce the tonnage going to the landfill and to reduce the bill from Duncan Disposal. The city has utilized a grant from the government to create a building, buy a pickup and trailer. They also have a compactor for paper that is used and not running. It’s a 3 phase 220 powered machine, and help is being sought to get it up and running.
Butts Recycling out of San Angelo is providing containers for three kinds of paper….
Office paper, Slick magazine type paper and newspaper. There are also bins being provided for plastic, aluminum and glass. The bins are being placed in Marfa at Texas and Nettle streets, across from Tom’s Appliances. Flyers, e-mails and school visits are planned to educate the public about this effort.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED-- to jump-start the recycling effort. Please show up at the Golf Course Road City Composting Landfill between 9 A.M and 5 P.M. this Saturday and next Saturday to help sort the paper that is in the large steel containers into the bins that Butts Recycling can pick up. They must have enough material in the bins to pay for the gas expense of coming to Marfa for it. Volunteers are asked to devote at least one hour of their Saturdays to help. John Ortega is the man employed by the city the landfill to supervise the project.
The meeting thanked Dan Dunlap and adjourned under the bells from St. Mary’s.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
January 9 Meeting Minutes
Rotarians gathered in the Tipikiva at 5:00. The group welcomed two guests, Rachel Lindsey was Dr. J's guest and Cory Van Dyke was a guest of Robin Lambaria.
Club business at this meeting included
1. HONOR A TEACHER...It was decided that Rotary would honor Felicia Martinez of the Marfa public school system this month. She is to be invited to next week's meeting.
2. RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) were discussed.The plan to
limit the awards to a single gender this year was an effort to save money on transportation expenses for the club. After some discussion, Joe Denham volunteered
to drive one of the students to and from Marfa at his own expense in order to assure that the club could give both a boy and a girl an award this June as was done last year.
The group applauded this decision.
3. SISTER CITY INITIATIVE: Jon has received an answer to his inquiry to Lauro Marquez in the town of San Juanito. Mr. Marquez'letter is highly supportive of the initiative and he states that he is ready to move forward. The group discussed the next step and
made the decision to take a small group of between six and nine people to San Juanito on February 3 through 6 (Sunday through Wednesday of that week). The cost per person should be limited to $200 per person. At this time, Oscar Martinez, Rudy Garcia and Jon Johnson plan to travel by car. Johnny Calderon, Rachel Lindsey and Robin Lambaria may also travel with the group. Jon Johnson will write Mr. Marquez to arrange for lodging and introductions.
4. COMMUNITY GARDENS: The clean up at the Community Gardens went as planned, and Jon proposed that the club consider doing a second project at the gardens. The proposal is to construct a sign that would span the width of the entrance gate.The sign would identify the community gardens and raise awareness of its purpose and function in the community. Jon suggested that the people responsible for the garden's existence be honored by having their names on the sign...the Driess-Harper Community Gardens. Several people offered materials and ideas for the sign, and it was decided not to proceed with the idea until Sandra Harper could be consulted.
5. EXCHANGE STUDENT: The club is waiting until mid month to decide whether or not to press forward in a request for a student from Egypt.
6.SKEET SHOOT FUNDRAISER: This fundraiser is probably going to be set for the month
of August. There are many questions which will have to be answered, and several members agreed to work on researching these questions: Insurance, Money Prizes, Location, Clays, Entry fee.
7.CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL:Dr. J. proposed that the Cinco de Mayo festival be sponsored by Rotary this year. It was agreed that this could be a good fundraiser. Johnny Calderon proposed that the club organize a Queen of the Festival contest with several nominations and the winner be the recipient of a money scholarship.
He also suggested that each grade at the school have a representative to the festival. A dance might be organized for Saturday night, with a parade and the festival on Sunday.
More discussion will follow on ideas for this festival.
8.PRESIDENT ELECT for 2008 - 2009. Lacking any other nominations, Dr. Johnson was chosen by club members to a second term as president by acclimation.
The pealing of the bells of St. Mary's Church signaled the end of the meeting.
Club business at this meeting included
1. HONOR A TEACHER...It was decided that Rotary would honor Felicia Martinez of the Marfa public school system this month. She is to be invited to next week's meeting.
2. RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) were discussed.The plan to
limit the awards to a single gender this year was an effort to save money on transportation expenses for the club. After some discussion, Joe Denham volunteered
to drive one of the students to and from Marfa at his own expense in order to assure that the club could give both a boy and a girl an award this June as was done last year.
The group applauded this decision.
3. SISTER CITY INITIATIVE: Jon has received an answer to his inquiry to Lauro Marquez in the town of San Juanito. Mr. Marquez'letter is highly supportive of the initiative and he states that he is ready to move forward. The group discussed the next step and
made the decision to take a small group of between six and nine people to San Juanito on February 3 through 6 (Sunday through Wednesday of that week). The cost per person should be limited to $200 per person. At this time, Oscar Martinez, Rudy Garcia and Jon Johnson plan to travel by car. Johnny Calderon, Rachel Lindsey and Robin Lambaria may also travel with the group. Jon Johnson will write Mr. Marquez to arrange for lodging and introductions.
4. COMMUNITY GARDENS: The clean up at the Community Gardens went as planned, and Jon proposed that the club consider doing a second project at the gardens. The proposal is to construct a sign that would span the width of the entrance gate.The sign would identify the community gardens and raise awareness of its purpose and function in the community. Jon suggested that the people responsible for the garden's existence be honored by having their names on the sign...the Driess-Harper Community Gardens. Several people offered materials and ideas for the sign, and it was decided not to proceed with the idea until Sandra Harper could be consulted.
5. EXCHANGE STUDENT: The club is waiting until mid month to decide whether or not to press forward in a request for a student from Egypt.
6.SKEET SHOOT FUNDRAISER: This fundraiser is probably going to be set for the month
of August. There are many questions which will have to be answered, and several members agreed to work on researching these questions: Insurance, Money Prizes, Location, Clays, Entry fee.
7.CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL:Dr. J. proposed that the Cinco de Mayo festival be sponsored by Rotary this year. It was agreed that this could be a good fundraiser. Johnny Calderon proposed that the club organize a Queen of the Festival contest with several nominations and the winner be the recipient of a money scholarship.
He also suggested that each grade at the school have a representative to the festival. A dance might be organized for Saturday night, with a parade and the festival on Sunday.
More discussion will follow on ideas for this festival.
8.PRESIDENT ELECT for 2008 - 2009. Lacking any other nominations, Dr. Johnson was chosen by club members to a second term as president by acclimation.
The pealing of the bells of St. Mary's Church signaled the end of the meeting.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Community Gardens Service Project
January 6th:
The small group that came to the gardens between
one and two o'clock on this beautiful, warm Sunday
afternoon included Rudy Garcia with a powerful mower,
Jon Johnson with a trailer and hand tools, Michelle
Kirk and Robin Lambaria with Cory Van Dyke,and Joe
Denham with a get-it-done attitude.The tumbleweeds
were six feet high in places, but the crew worked
steadily for two hours until the corner was clean
and welcoming in appearance. Nice work, everyone!
The small group that came to the gardens between
one and two o'clock on this beautiful, warm Sunday
afternoon included Rudy Garcia with a powerful mower,
Jon Johnson with a trailer and hand tools, Michelle
Kirk and Robin Lambaria with Cory Van Dyke,and Joe
Denham with a get-it-done attitude.The tumbleweeds
were six feet high in places, but the crew worked
steadily for two hours until the corner was clean
and welcoming in appearance. Nice work, everyone!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
January 2 Meeting Minutes
A small group gathered in the Tipikiva for a warm fire
and camaraderie.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES:
1. SISTER CITIES INITIATIVE
Jon reported that Lauro Marquez of the NoriTori cabins in
San Juanito had responded finally to the inquiries Jon had
sent him.
He letter suggests that he is enthusiastic about the Sister
City initiative and ready to help us go to the next step.
We discussed several ways to go forward, the most logical
being to get together a small group of six to nine people\to travel down to San Juanito to start up relationshipand conversations that could lead to a partnership.
The date for the trip to San Juanito will likely be in
February, and it was decided that it should be Rotary
members only at this point. We would leave on a Sunday
and return on a Wednesday. It is expected that we could count
on accomodations being provided, and it was estimated
that each person going should expect to take between $150 - 200
spending money for meals, etc. Also the gas expense would be
between $25- $35 depending upon how many decided to go
on this trip.
Among those at this meeting who were interested in going,
and could get free in February were Jon Johnson, Rudy Garcia,
Robin Lambaria and Johnny Calderon. Johnny was tentative
because he as yet has no passport, and must first obtain an
official birth certificate. He is working on this.
We also talked about finding hotel operators who would be
willing to host members of a delegation to Marfa from San Juanito
at some point in the future. Rudy Garcia offered two room at
the Arcon Inn. Others that need to be contacted are Pat Quinn,
Joe Duncan and Lucy Garcia.
2. COMMUNITY GARDEN CLEAN UP
The group identified this Sunday afternoon as a good time to
clean the perimeter fence around the Community Garden. Rudy
Garcia will bring his tractor mower and Jon Johnson will bring
his trailer. Others are encouraged to bring hand or power tools
and gloves. Jon Johnson will provide trash bags. Everyone is to
meet at 1:30 P.M. at the gardens, which are on first street,
about a block north of the Elementary school.
3. SUPERBOWL TELEVISION RAFFLE
Jon will travel to El Paso this week to talk to Sam's Clubs
about donating a television that the club could raffle for
Super Bowl Sunday.
4. CLUB ELECTION
Due to lack of a quorum, the nominations for President-Elect
for a one year term from July '08 to June, '09 are still
open. Jon will take nominations by phone at 729 - 3109, or
by e-mail at aasejon@gmail.com.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 under the bells of St. Mary's Church.
See you on Sunday!
and camaraderie.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES:
1. SISTER CITIES INITIATIVE
Jon reported that Lauro Marquez of the NoriTori cabins in
San Juanito had responded finally to the inquiries Jon had
sent him.
He letter suggests that he is enthusiastic about the Sister
City initiative and ready to help us go to the next step.
We discussed several ways to go forward, the most logical
being to get together a small group of six to nine people\to travel down to San Juanito to start up relationshipand conversations that could lead to a partnership.
The date for the trip to San Juanito will likely be in
February, and it was decided that it should be Rotary
members only at this point. We would leave on a Sunday
and return on a Wednesday. It is expected that we could count
on accomodations being provided, and it was estimated
that each person going should expect to take between $150 - 200
spending money for meals, etc. Also the gas expense would be
between $25- $35 depending upon how many decided to go
on this trip.
Among those at this meeting who were interested in going,
and could get free in February were Jon Johnson, Rudy Garcia,
Robin Lambaria and Johnny Calderon. Johnny was tentative
because he as yet has no passport, and must first obtain an
official birth certificate. He is working on this.
We also talked about finding hotel operators who would be
willing to host members of a delegation to Marfa from San Juanito
at some point in the future. Rudy Garcia offered two room at
the Arcon Inn. Others that need to be contacted are Pat Quinn,
Joe Duncan and Lucy Garcia.
2. COMMUNITY GARDEN CLEAN UP
The group identified this Sunday afternoon as a good time to
clean the perimeter fence around the Community Garden. Rudy
Garcia will bring his tractor mower and Jon Johnson will bring
his trailer. Others are encouraged to bring hand or power tools
and gloves. Jon Johnson will provide trash bags. Everyone is to
meet at 1:30 P.M. at the gardens, which are on first street,
about a block north of the Elementary school.
3. SUPERBOWL TELEVISION RAFFLE
Jon will travel to El Paso this week to talk to Sam's Clubs
about donating a television that the club could raffle for
Super Bowl Sunday.
4. CLUB ELECTION
Due to lack of a quorum, the nominations for President-Elect
for a one year term from July '08 to June, '09 are still
open. Jon will take nominations by phone at 729 - 3109, or
by e-mail at aasejon@gmail.com.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 under the bells of St. Mary's Church.
See you on Sunday!
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