Cool Cities Update Presented
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Alan LaFave, chairman of the Cool Cities Advisory Committee, and Kelley Kent presented an update on what's been happening since the State awarded Bay City a $100,000 "Cool Cities Grant".The State grant was awarded to help with the construction of a "Waterfall Park" at the east approach to the old Third Street Bridge. The park had been on the drawing board for quite some time when the grant program was announced. A group of city leaders got together and updated the project to submit for the grant.
The objective of the Cool City program is to encourage young people to come to Michigan cities. As Shirley Roberts said in her introductions, the idea was to get new blood into the process. "In fact, the 'usual suspects' got together and pulled the waterfall park idea off the shelf as Bay City's entry", said Roberts.
After winning the grant the "usual suspects" did their usual thing and moved on to other projects. But the story did not end there. Winning the award had its intended effect by generating excitement with some of the committee's "UN-usual suspects", including Kent and LaFave who formed a grass roots sub-committee to continue the process.
The "Cool Cities Advisory Committee" has a core group of young people, lead by LaFave and Kent. They host discussion groups, gather ideas and information, plan activities and serve as an incubator for "cool" ideas for Bay City. As many as 50 people have come to the focus groups with the largest single gathering having more than 20 people and lasting for almost five hours.
The new downtown Gallery Walk, the first Thursday of each month, came directly from a Cool Cities focus group meeting. Avram Golden talked about the concept then, with the support of the group, he put the program together, organized the galleries, and pulled it off!
The committee has created a survey to gather information about what people think about Bay City and what they'd like to see in a Cool City. The survey is on-line at www.MyBayCity.com/CoolCitySurvey.htm. Everyone is encouraged to participate and share their thoughts. To date over 150 surveys have been submitted.
The Club extends its sympathy to the family of William (Bill) Defoe who passed away on Friday the 17th at the age of 84. Bill joined the club in June of 1948.
Incoming President Ralph Knopp reminded everyone that Dues are Due by July 1. This is important because Rotary International has changed the dues guidelines. Members who are not paid up on time will be required to re-activate their membership.
Leo Najar was pleased to update the club with news that the Bijou Orchestra has been invited to play a live concert on the Canadian Broadcasting System's nationally aired afternoon drive time program "Disc Drive". The program normally airs from Vancouver, but they will be in Windsor for the Freedom Festival.The Bijou will play ad 4:00 pm on July 5. You can listen to the program on-line at www.cbc.ca and click on "radio". Locally you may be able to get the program at FM 89.9.
Upcoming Programs at the Bay City Rotary Club:
- June 28 --- Passing of the gavel
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eClub-One: Members with internet connections are encouragedto visit eClub-One monthly for a makeup. To get makeup credit you need to fill out the makeup form on that site. Print the acknowledgement for you receive and turn it in to receive credit. Be sure to enter our club's district number (6310) on that form.
Click this link to open eClubOne in a new window: www.rotaryeclubone.org.
The Bay City Rotary Club meets at Noon each Tuesday at the Lumber Barons resturant on the West Side.
Rotary Club of Bay City Web Site
District 6310 meeting schedule
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Stephen Kent |
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