Capital City Kiwanis
Nov. 20- Nov. 26 Newsletter
Nov. 19 Meeting Recap
Song: Wilson Baldridge
Pledge: Jerry Boyce
Prayer: Jodi Moscona
Jackpot Non-winner: Ben Brown
President-elect Brett Mason presided over the meeting because President Brandt Edwards was out of town on business.
The club approved Julie Dauzat for the vacancy on the board of administrators.
Last Week's Speaker: John Elvert
John Elvert, the director of the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, spoke at the Nov. 19 meeting. Elvert stated that the planetarium's mission is to develop the newest space theories into material the public can enjoy.
In the 1960s, Baton Rouge built its first planetarium. That facility had to be closed because of building problems.
The new planetarium is the result of a $17 million fundraising campaign. The Baton Rouge community should be proud because the new facility is only one of 12 planetariums that can project what the Hubble Space Telescope is able to see.
The planetarium also shows large format films where the viewer is wrapped around the movie. Other events include laser shows, the recent Mars viewing and special business events.
The planetarium hopes to draw frequent visitors from surrounding parishes. Elvert hopes the planetarium will be an inspiration for young children interested in science.
Member Spotlight: Ben Brown
Ben Brown was born in Baton Rouge, La., and graduated from Catholic High School in 1999 as valedictorian. He attended Tulane University in New Orleans and received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in May 2003.
At the request of past president Jodi Moscona, Brown joined Kiwanis this summer. Brown was a four year member of Key Club at CHS. He served two terms as LaMissTenn District Secretary.
Brown is employed at Pyburn and Odom MCA. He currently serves as the project inspector at the new dockside container facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.
Recently, Brown has been busy studying for the GMAT. He hopes to enroll in the LSU College of Business to earn a Master of Business Administration.
Brown is a dedicated Louisiana State University sports fan. He attends all home football games and many away games. He has a 1-year-old black lab, Reauxhan, named after former LSU quarterback Rohan Davey.
Welcome to:
Senior Members
Alan Habshire, guest of Joe Culotta
Next Week's Speaker: Dr. Ken Ward
Dr. Ken Ward is the executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. Dr. Ward earned his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University. During his time at LSU, he received LSU's Faculty Service Award for Outstanding Leadership in Public Service.
Governor Mike Foster characterized him as a "Godly man who doesn't know the meaning of the word no when it comes to the work of the Foundation."
Ward will speak on the state of ethics in the state of Louisiana. He will also share the work of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation.
Announcements
Cathy Door, Reality House service plan coordinator, attended the Nov. 19 meeting and spoke about the Reality House program. The program currently offers assistance to 12 women who are getting their lives on track after experiencing substance abuse problems. Door requested that Kiwanis members bring an unwrapped toy to the Dec. 3 meeting. The toys will be given to the children of the women involved in the program. A list of acceptable toys will be distributed to club members.
Quote of the Week
Courage is grace under pressure.
--Ernest Hemingway
Newsletter Team
Ben Brown, Editor, riptidebcb@hotmail.com
Mandy Michel, Copy Editor
Aimeé Shultz, Designer