Newsletter - Archive  Apr 15, 2010

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Editarian: Jerry Allen                                                                        

Club Photographer : Brad Mikel 

Next Week

April 21, 2010

Rotary 101

Len Brass

Benefits of Rotary membership by the recipient of our Active Rotarian Award.

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10:55 Rotary Board meeting prior to regular meeting.

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This Week

April 14, 2010

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, candidate for Colorado Governor. 

Mayor Hickenlooper was elected Mayor of Denver in 2003.  In April 2005, less than two years into his first term Time Magazine named him one of the top five "big city" mayors.

Mayor Hickenlooper is a geologist that lost his job in 1988 when a collapse of oil prices caused his company to shut down.

He had an idea to start "Brew Pubs".  His mom couldn't understand why anyone would want to eat in a brewery.  He perservered and started Wyncoop Brewery.  He went against conventional wisdom and helped advertise his competitors with the idea of growing "the pie" instead of just competing for a slice of a static market.  The idea of collaborating and the fortuitous development of Coors Field increased the number of restaurants in LODO from 32 to 300 and led to economic success for Mayor John.

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Mayor John used this model after he was elected to collaborate with Denver's suburbs.  He made an agreement with the suburbs that there would be no "poaching" of businesses.  He also realized that water was necessary for the success of the metro area and established a collaborative attitude with the suburbs.

Part of his philosophy is to strive for better government by looking for ideas from the bottom up as well as top down.  The idea of empowering his people and giving them ownership of the ideas has resulted in more services with less resources.

Mayor Hickenlooper has started out a year behind his opponents in his run for governor because of the surprise announcement of Governor Bill Ritter to not run for re-election.  His message continues to be non-partisan (vs bi-partisan) giving others the credit for the sake of solving knotty problems in an effort for better government.

Mayor John signs donated bottle of wine to be auctioned at fund raiser for The Aurora Symphony as Howard looks on.

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Chief Dan had another bottle of wine autographed by Mayor John.  Chief Dan collected about 2 cases of wine for the Aurora Symphony fund raiser.  Members have one more week to bring wine.  Please don't forget.

Dan asks that bottles be labled with the donors name.  He said that makes donors "Luminaries".  A wag said that he thought a luminary was a bag with a candle in it.

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President Susan gave Mayor John a commemorative coin.  Mayor John joined Rotary in 1995 and continues to contribute to the Paul Harris Foundation.

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Harrison Cochran asks a penetrating question.  The mayor did very well fielding questions.  He is candid and straightforward.

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A full house of 63 members enjoyed the Mayor's presentation.

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Ida filled the club in on important dates upcoming:

4/22 Choir concert 7:15 at Bethany Lutheran Church.

5/28 Ida's graduation from Smoky Hill at DU.

Both events require complementary tickets, please see Ida for tickets.

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This image of Toni and Brad was featured in the 4/11 Travel Section of the Denver Post.  Toni and Brad shared highlights of their trip to Italy.

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Wellness Summit

Kimberly Armitage reminded the club of the Wellness Summit to be held Saturday, April 17 at Grandview Highschool.  Volunteers are needed to register participants and direct them to meetings.

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April 28 - 7:30 am Second Wind Foundation breakfast 4400 E. Kentucky. The club has reserved a table.  Five have signed to attend, 3 more are needed.

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April 24 -6:30 am- 9 News Health Fair - 9 Aurora Rotarians needed to cashier at Central High School.

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April 24- Aurora Symphony Orchestra SIP fund raiser at 5:00 PM at Heather Ridge Country Club

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State of the City

A tasting committee of George Peck, Patrick Lovett, Val Cunningham, and Kimberly Armitage met at Crowne- Plaza DIA to select a delectable menu for State of the City, Thursday May 20.

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Shots For Tots

4/10

Special thanks to the team that ran a very successful clinic:Jerry and Joyce Beabout, Ben and Pat Wintergalen, Ev Sequeira and 2 nephews.

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Personal Milestones

Larry Pisciotta is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Brakes Plus.  Larry now has 55 stores.

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Bill Wiggins has moved from Coldwell Banker to Unique Properties.

The Rotary Club of Aurora gratefully acknowledges the sponsors who support our website Please click on the Sponsors name to visit their website and see what services and specials they offer. Aurora Chamber of Commerce Body Beautiful Collision Repair Dave Williams & Associates LLC Doug Evans Agency State Farm Insurance Edward Jones Ev Sequeira Wagner Law Office Craig Wagner YMCA of The Rockies Please click here to find out more about these sponsors.