National Renewable Energy Laboratory

We were ousted from our usual room last week as it was being used for voting. At any rate, we were pleased to welcome a number of guests and visiting Rotarians. Jody Niswender had three guests, Tom Cornwell, Brian Boehm and Shad Wickstrom. Sandi Squicquero was present as she will be a new member soon. Colette MacFarlane was a visiting Rotarian from the Loveland Downtown Rotary Club. Kirk Pallen was a temporary guest as he came to announce the search for GSE team members to go to Finland in April. Kirk has been selected to be the team leader. Team members have to be between 25 and 40 years old, working in a recognized profession, and not a Rotarian or offspring of a Rotarian.

Ron Clark announced that we have received an invitation to attend the open house of the new facility our club helped pay for at Aims Community College. The open house will be from 7 to 9 PM on Friday, November 2.

PROGRAM
Susan Van Deren introduced her next door neighbor, Jim Bosch who works in public relations for the National Renewable Energy Laboratories in Golden (NREL). Bosch has been with NREL since 2000. NREL is a branch of the US Department of Energy dedicated to renewable energy. The facility is a “GOCO” (Government owned, Contractor Operated). Bosch talked about the national goal of reducing gasoline use by 20% within ten years.

Bosch’s presentation was only a fraction of the information he has available, and I’m afraid we kept him well past his allotted time peppering him with questions. That is always a good sign that it was a fascinating and successful program.

He said that NREL concentrates on three categories of services: Use of energy; Renewable resources: and Energy storage and deliverance. As it relates to home use, he said the fastest payback on energy conservation is through the use of compact fluorescent lighting which saves about 20% on lighting costs.

Bosch displayed a variety of solar sells including some that are extremely fragile. There are photovoltaic cells being made that can be used as roof shingles. The military is using a foldable photovoltaic system that can be attached to a standard tent to provide power. Research is ongoing into producing low-cost hydrogen from a specific form of algae that gives off hydrogen as a byproduct. He did warn that hydrogen has great potential; however, the problem is with safe storage and containment as hydrogen is so explosive.

QUIZ
Dave Brubeck was raised on a ranch and had to feed the stock, break ice off water troughs, etc. When he got into music, he remembered the sound and beat that the windmill on the ranch made as he did his morning chores. That was the beat he incorporated into “Take Five” (which by the way has one of the greatest drum riffs ever recorded---a personal opinion).

New question: Dina Merrill, the actress and Life Magazine Cover Model has an interesting lineage. Who were her parents?

Proposed Stoner Development

Dorothy Simmons announced that the Children’s Foundation has come up with a unique idea for a fund raiser. They are going to hold an on-line auction through eBay. They are asking for donated items worth at least $30. If you can help out, bring in your item next week and Dorothy will collect them so they can get advertised. The auction will be held November 1 – 15th.

Karen Kunz announced that the Halloween set up will be from 5 – 6 PM on the 31st and then children will be enjoying Halloween from 6 – 8 PM at the Recreation Center.

President Ardin Wright reminded the club that officer elections will be in December. Any members wishing to run for one of the offices or the Board should make their wishes known to Ardin.

PROGRAM
Dan Leuschen introduced our speaker for the day, Jay Stoner of Stoner Development. Jay has years of experience with successful commercial and real estate developments in the Northern Colorado area. Jay presented a schematic plan for a development at the Southwest corner of I-25 and Harmony Road. This proposed development runs from Harmony south to Kechter Road (Larimer Co Road 36). Stoner is working with the Colorado Department of Transportation, State Officials, Ft. Collins and others. The site is largely flood plain now where gravel has been removed over the years. During development, over 3 million cubic yards of earth will be imported to fill much of the site and raise the area above the flood plain level. He said that they anticipate moving 20,000 cubic yards of earth a day.

The site will have residential, commercial, medical, hotels, performing arts center and other services. There will be water features including lakes, ponds, white water rapids, and other water features. Trails, bike paths and the general layout will encourage a walking village arrangement wherein the residents can walk or bike to services, restaurants, stores, medical and recreational facilities.

Anticipated tenants include Jax, numerous restaurants, a health and wellness center, medical offices and many more. The health and wellness center is more of a combination of hospital and health club with the emphasis on wellness and prevention rather than after the fact care. From preliminary plans, it appears that the project will be a unique and new approach for Colorado developments. Stoner said they anticipate starting the project in the spring of 2009. Stoner is looking for a name for the development and would welcome any suggestions.

QUIZ
Lowell Thomas was the broadcaster, writer and traveler who made Lawrence of Arabia famous.

Next question: For you jazz aficionados who know the Dave Brubeck piece “Take Five”, you may know that it is in an unusual meter…5/8 time. What was his inspiration for this unusual beat?

Literacy Carnival Preparation

President Ardin Wright introduced several guests to the club. Sandi Squicquero visited again and has voiced interest in becoming a member. We were also visited by Jenny McGraw and visiting Rotarians, Scott Rulon and Lorelei Faglier. Lorelei will give us a program in November about her work at the Triangle Cross Ranch.

PROGRAM
The program for the week was presented by Elizabeth Barber who presented us with some of details we will need when we assist with the Literacy Carnival at Skyview Elementary School on October 25. Volunteers are to be at the school by 5:30 PM and Elizabeth says we should be done by 8 PM.

Elizabeth also gave us some details on the Promises for Children Program. She pointed out that Weld County has very high statistics on pre-mature babies as well as the number of babies born without the mothers receiving pre-natal care. She told the club that 70% of the English speaking children are not coming into kindergarten with basic knowledge expected of children that age. She even pointed out that California and Georgia predict the number of prison beds needed in the future based on 3rd grade results. She said that parents need to learn that they (the parents) are the children’s first teacher.

Elizabeth said that at each station at the Literacy Carnival, there will be an educator as well as the Rotary Volunteers who will provide hands-on participation with the children and their families. Stations will include: Reading aloud; Writing; Music and Movement; Obstacle Course; Magic Letters/ABC puzzles; Puppets; Picture naming; Water Play; and Playdoh. Each of these stations is designed to give the students and their family materials and ideas they can use to better serve the educational needs of their children at home so that they are better prepared for school and a successful learning experience. If you have any questions, talk to Chris Leffler who is spearheading the program for our Club. I’m sure he would welcome additional volunteers.

QUIZ
Richard Nixon and his children were given a dog named Checkers. His speech where he included the statement that he was not giving the dog back became known as Nixon’s “Checkers Speech”.

Next question: Who was the American writer, broadcaster and traveler best known as the man who made Lawrence of Arabia famous? Hint: he was raised in Victor, Colorado where he worked as a gold miner, cook, and reporter at the local newspaper.

Overcoming Life's Challenges

Danette LaLievre’s life changed forever on May 11, 1981. She was nine and was attending a 4-H meeting at her family home in rural Iowa, when a gas leak on the furnace in the basement ignited in a fireball. Danette was nearest the basement stairs, and the fireball engulfed her.

Although her father and her brother were also severely injured as were a number of the other girls, all survived. Danette suffered third-degree burns over 65% of her body. Through the next decade, she underwent numerous skin grafts, debridement, plastic surgery, and other medical procedures. But, she says, one of the lasting scars was to her emotional well being as she went through her school years being different.

Now, she is a mother with two sons and has become an inspirational and motivational speaker. Through her strength of character, she refused to be beaten. She took the attitude that if someone said there was something she could not do, she worked hard to succeed. She attributes her accomplishments to three principles.

1. Goals: She sets goals and works to meet them
2. Perseverance: Doesn’t let negative people or ideas get in her way
3. Belief in yourself

Danette has now established a purpose as a role model to others who are scarred or disfigured, especially children. She has volunteered with a group out of San Diego called “Angel Faces” which helps young girls who have had similar tragedies in their life learn social skills and develop the belief that beauty lies within. You can learn more about Angel Faces by going to http://www.angelfacesretreat.org/ on the internet.

QUIZ
The man who patented the “Frisbee” originally called it the Pluto Platter, although there is some argument that it was called a Frisbee from the Frisbee Pie Company.

Next Question: One of Richard Nixon’s campaign speeches in 1952 mentioned a gift dog. The dogs name became synonymous with the speech. What was the dog’s (and the speech) name?