October 22, 2003

The song for the October 22^nd meeting was performed by Bill Stracener; David Cresson led the Pledge; and Jodi said Grace.

Brandt reminded everyone of the upcoming Jambalaya sale. We'll need everyone to sell tickets.

Please keep Steve Taylor, an ex-member, in your prayers. Steve recently was involved in a motorcycle accident where he broke his neck.

Bob Wales introduced our speaker, Don Powers, with the Chambers' Capital Region Competitive Strategy. Don spoke about the recent trip that various community leaders took to Austin a few months ago. Don said that although Austin has had substantial growth in the last twenty years, Austin has significant problems, including transportation and taxes. Don said Austin's transportation problems are greater than ours. Don said that a $250,000 house in Austin has a property tax bill of about $1,000 per month. Although both Baton Rouge and Austin had generally the same population in the mid-1980's, Austin's population now is about 1.2 Million and Baton Rouge's is about 700,000, both in their respective metropolitan area. Don said the group that traveled learned a lot during the trip. Don believes Baton Rouge is a great place to live and has a lot of opportunity as well as challenges.

The jackpot was lost by Esteban, who was not eligible.

Next week's speaker is Roger Richard, President of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.

Addendum by Ben Brown:

Other Business:
1) We need volunteers to grill and serve food atthe Jay Cresson Memorial
Golf tournament, to be held at Pelican Point Thursday Oct. 30.
2) Our club is sponsoring a foursome in the Jay Cresson Golf Tournament on
Oct. 30. We need golfers.
3) The jambalaya sale will be Thursday, Nov. 20 at the 4H mini farm on LSU's
campus. We will need everyone to sell tickets.
4) There will be a board meeting after lunch to finalize the details of the
sale.
5) Please keep Steve Taylor, an ex-member, in your prayers. Steve recently
was involved in a motorcycle accident where he broke his neck. He was
fortunately not paralyzed.
6) Fascinating Kiwanis facts, later in newsletter, were shared with the
membership.

Much thanks to Esteban Herrera for compiling this info!

SPOTLIGHT ON..
           Charles Rea
I was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, graduating from Little Rock
High School in 1953.

I received both a BA and LLD from Tulane University completing the
undergraduate and law school programs in six years. The practice of law is
both my work and my hobby.

I married Patsy Ann Bagwell in 1958. We will have our 45th wedding
anniversary this December 21st. We have two children, Chuck and Wendy, and
one grandchild, Ellen Louise.

I first joined Capital City in 1964 because it was the best service club in
Baton Rouge. Except for a nine year hiatus in Dallas, I have been a Capital
City Kiwanian since.

I have served Capital City as secretary, vice presidents one and two,
president, and Lieutenant Governor for 8-A. The club has allowed me the
privileges of the Hickson Award, the Tablets of Honor, and the Legion of
Honor. My greatest achievement is being a member of Kiwanis for almost forty
years.

The last two books I have read are: "The Life of Huey Long" by T. Harry
Williams and John Grisham's recent novel.

If I could dine with three people from history it would be, first with Jesus
Christ, second with Paul the Apostle, and third with Martin Luther.

Project Profile

Mall of LA Circus

   "A Circus Like No Other" was the theme of this free event to celebrate
the mall's sixth anniversary.

   The one hour event ran ten times during October 16 - 19. Several CCK
members assisted in the Thursday and Friday midday shows by helping operate
the spotlights.

    Our sponsored youth pitched in also as LSU Circle K and Catholic High
Key Club members manned the spotlights for some of the other shows.

Next Meeting
Wednesday, October 29
12:00 pm (high noon)
The Great Wall
Village Square Shopping Center

Next Speaker

Roger Richard
President
Port of Greater Baton Rouge

Quote of the Week

"The capacity of human beings to bore one another seems to be vastly greater
than that of any other animal. "
- H. L. Mencken

Members in the News

David Cresson and the golf tournament memorializing his son were featured in
the Advocate's People sec. front page on Oct. 27.

Some Kiwanis Facts .

The name "Kiwanis was coined from an expression in an American Indian
language of the Detroit area, "Nunc Kee-wanis," which means, "we trade" or
"we share our talents".

There are more than 8600 Kiwanis Clubs worldwide with nearly 300,000 members
in 89 nations & geographic areas.

Average Kiwanis member is 55.1 years old, a college graduate, married, & a
homeowner.

Women were accepted into Kiwanis in 1987 & now there are more than 51,000
women in Kiwanis worldwide.

In one year, Kiwanis clubs sponsor 147,000 service projects; raise & spend
nearly 70 million & contribute 6.2 million hours of volunteer time.