Spoke 'n Wheel Newsletter, December 15, 2010

The City of Decatur is sponsoring a community-wide decorating contest! Join us and turn on your holiday lights, light your luminaries, and be a part of the celebration! Judges ride through Decatur and pick 10 favorite homes, a business, a neighborhood, and an overall winner who receives the Commissioners Cup from the City Commission.

Breakfast with Santa:

Bring your children to meet Santa this Saturday, December 18, from 8-10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Select Decatur Conference Center (130 Clairemont Ave.) Join Santa for breakfast after he arrives on a Decatur fire truck. Sponsored by the Decatur Business Association.

Annual Holiday Bonfire/Marshmallow Roast:
This annual tradition will be Thursday, December 16, from 7-8 p.m. on the square. The City of Decatur will end thier "Terrific Thursdays" with the Bonfire/Marshmallow Roast. Gather around the giant bonfire and roast marshmallows. Free and sponsored by the Decatur Business Association.

Don't forget to please visit our website at decatur-rotary.org where you can update your contact information, view videos from past Rotary meetings and find out who our upcoming speakers are. Don't forget to join our LinkedIn Group and Facebook Page as well!

Elliott Augustine & Andrea Greengard

President's Corner

President C.J. called the meeting to order

Annoucements:

Past-President Bryan Downs reported on behalf of the Nominating Committee and offered the following slate for 2011 - 2012:

Board of Directors (for a two-year term):
Todd Speed
Amy Nash
Jim Topple
Desiree Peagler
President Elect: Eric Norwood

By unanimous vote, the slate was approved.

President CJ announced that there would be a reception for Bob Castellani at 2:00pm on Courtroom 7C. Bob is leaving Superior Court for new endeavors.

President CJ also announced that the "women" of Rotary would be meeting with Gloria Kusmik on Tuesday to attend the Georgia Shakespeare Theater.

Mark Burnette announced that the club would be participating in the MLK Service Project to do home repair and maintenance for seniors. Mark stated that there would be multiple shifts available over the January 15th-17th weekend. Scott Thompson and Bill Mealor are the house captains and it was stressed by President CJ that very little real construction skills are needed. More information and information on participating can be found below:

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Project seeks to directly assist low-income Decatur senior citizens homeowners to safely and comfortably remain in their homes by providing house maintenance and repair. The MLK, Jr. Service project began in 2002 and was initiated by the Decatur Preservation Alliance (DPA) under the leadership of Robert Soens. The DPA board recognized an unmet need in the community - that of fixed- and low-income senior citizens who were unable to maintain their homes and were facing ever-increasing property tax burdens. By collaborating with community, church and youth groups, local government agencies, businesses and residents, DPA raises the funds and brings together hundreds of volunteers to work on house repair projects during the MLK, Jr. holiday weekend. That will be January 15, 16, and 17 in 2011.

What is the role of Decatur Rotary in regards to The Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Project?Decatur Rotary has pledged funds to support the project. In addition, Rotarians are encouraged to volunteer to work on one of the houses, which will be co-captained by Scott Thompson and Bill Mealor. Mark Burnette hopes to have

10-15 volunteers from Decatur Rotary. Contact Mark via email at mburnette@decatur-law.com or see him at Rotary on an upcming Friday if you would like more information or would like to sign up to help.

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