Thursday, August 25, 2011

Our guest speaker this morning was Kent Perkins from the City of St. George Leisure Services Department. Every year for 35 years the Exchange Club has invited Kent to speak to the club about the upcoming St. George Marathon which is now in its 35th year. Kent noted that club member, Wayne Everett, has run the marathon for 25 years of the 35. Quite impressive, Mr. Everett!

Kent took the opportunity this morning to acknowledge what our club has done throughout the years for the St. George community. He thanked the club for the $5,000 donation we give each year to the tree farm. He asked the question: What would St. George look like without it's trees? Just another Barstow or Mesquite?" He reminded the club of it's involvement in "re-greening" the community and thanked us for the significant part we play in that legacy.

Kent further noted the pavilions, gazebos, and playgrounds the Exchange Club has helped build. He reminded us that the Exchange Club, in its early days, was noted for "the great projects it supported and Thursday afternoon golf." We are still involved in "great projects" and Kent explained that he had some ideas for the club to consider to further our activity in this tradition.

The Leisure Services Department has several ideas and dreams for future projects. An "all-abilities park" is a concept where children can play in shallow sand and water riverways or where play areas are designed specifically for children in wheelchairs or with autism. Villages and towns would be created within the park for all ages and all abilities. Ideas were shared about "high-tech electronic playgrounds" targeting teenagers where they can engage with the technology that is so much a part of their lives and increase their fitness at the same time. This would all come with lights and music and sound - perfect for tweens and teens.

Other ideas were to beautify and enhance our Town Square with arbors and more water features, improve the quality of our ball fields, contribute to the Nature Center where a Tree House is being built, create a Children's Museum, and upgrade our trail systems with water stops, markers, or sitting benches for a scenic rest along the way.

It was a morning of remembering just how much the Exchange Club really does as well as creating some stimulating ideas for future projects.

California Condor Reintroduction Program

Today's speaker was Linda Price, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument Manager. She spoke with us about the California Condor Reintroduction Program. Condors were first released on the Arizona Strip in 1996 and since then, with the assistance of the Peregrine Fund’s Reintroduction program, their numbers have climbed to a total of 76 free flying birds in Arizona.

Linda Price graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Range Ecology and began her BLM career as a seasonal technician in Kingman Arizona in 1989. She came to the Arizona Strip in 1991 as a Range Conservationist and was assigned to the desert tortoise habitat along the Nevada border. She has served in various positions within the BLM range program until coming to the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument as the temporary manager in 2005. In 2008 she became the permanent Monument Manager. As Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Manger, Price oversees public lands issues on the 294,000-acre national monument which includes Paria Plateau, Paria Canyon, and Vermilion Cliffs. The Monument is internationally renowned for The Wave, a unique geologic feature in Coyote Buttes.

Click here to see their website

BLM Fire Management

Thanks to Mark Rosenthal the Fire Management Officer for the BLM Arizona Strip District, for his presentation this morning.

The snowpack in our area has been almost 400% of normal which has allowed a great amount of grasses and growth in the area, which is what fires need to thrive. Weather projections show hotter than normal temps and low humidity for this summer. These conditions would be similar to what we experienced in 2005, which was an extreme fire season.Small fires have already been popping up in our area almost daily, with the conditions forecasted those fires could easily become large very quickly.

It's vitally important that all residents in our area clean up all the dry growth around their homes in order to keep your home safe from fires.

Most of the equipment used to fight fires in this area are stationed in our local area. Planes and helicopters are stationed in Cedar City and Mesquite. The ability to bring additional resources from outside our area can and will be done when needed. Much of what is dropped by the planes and copters are suppressants that slows the growth of the fire.

Tuacahn 2011

Today's speaker was Scott Raine, the Executive Director of Marketing and Development for Tuacahn Center for the Arts. In this role, he is responsible for all fundraising, marketing, advertising, sales and public relations for Tuacahn. Scott moved to Southern Utah from Chicago in 2002 after spending nearly 25 years with United Airlines in a variety of marketing, sales and travel agency automation management positions. He first became involved with Tuacahn through Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts, where two of his children have attended and grad

uated. Scott lives with his wife and children in Ivins.

He presented to us an overview of the history of Tuacahn, its struggles and successes. This year they are showing Grease and Little Mermaid. Their success last year with Tarzan has given them the opportunity with Disney to have Little Mermaid this year and Scott suggested that this may be their best production of all. At the end of his presentation he gave away a couple of tickets to their upcoming performances of Grease, Little Mermaid, LeAnn Rimes and ABBA Mania. Congrats the lucky four who won tickets. Better luck next time to the rest of you.

Visit their website to see the schedule of shows and to purchase tickets.

Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm

Today's speaker was Dr Jerry Harris, the Director of Paleontology and Associate Professor at Dixie State College and the Scientific Advisor to the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm. He was born at a very early age in Chicago and has, since then, bounced around the country (schlepping a keen interest in dinosaurs with him), living in Colorado Springs, Boulder, Denver, Dallas, Albuquerque, and Philadelphia before landing in St. George. He received his B.A. in Geoscience from the University of Colorado, M.S. from Southern Methodist University, and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Jerry is currently involved in research on fossils from China, Argentina, and (of course!) St. George.

Dr Harris shared with us the vision of the Dinosaur Discovery Site and their goal of adding additional exhibits. They achieved a major milestone with the addition of Scelidosaurus (known by only a handful of people as the Jinksosaurus).

"Since it was first discovered in 1851, only about a dozen, mostly incomplete specimens of this dinosaur had been found, but in 2000, the same year that the tracks were discovered at Johnson Farm, a virtually complete skeleton was discovered in England. U

nlike most dinosaur bones that are found, this fossil's hundreds of armor plates and spikes are preserved in their life positions, providing extraordinary details about how this dinosaur looked. St. George is the only place anywhere in the Hemisphere that the 11-foot long Scelidosaurus replica has been on display, and it was able to come to the Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm because of a generous donation from local lawyers Virginius "Jinks" and Barbara Anne Dabney. Come see a truly unique specimen as well as the other remarkable fossils at the site!" (visit their

website for more details)

Ironman Kids Fun Run

We had our Ironman Kids Fun Run today. Huge turn out, I think bigger than last year. Official numbers will be coming. Yellowpics was there and everyone seemed to have a great time.

CAP Flyer and Time Out Teddy

Since our beginnings in 1911, Exchange Club members have worked tirelessly to make their communities better places to live through community service, Americanism projects, and youth programs. Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) became the National Project of Exchange Clubs in 1979, a decision of the delegates to the 61st National Exchange Club Convention. At that time, our Foundation was created to help local clubs establish community-based programs to work with at-risk parents. Today, the National Exchange Club Foundation (NECF) oversees numerous prevention programs, helps local Exchange Clubs develop and maintain community-based child abuse prevention programs, and supports Exchange's Program of Service, which includes Youth Programs, Americanism, and Community Service.

The National Exchange Club Foundation provides a variety of public awareness materials, designed to help inform and increase awareness of child abuse and how it can be prevented. Such projects are implemented through Exchange Clubs and Exchange Club CAP Centers across the country.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month – The NECF endorses the month of April each year as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The NECF produces materials for Exchange Clubs and CAP Centers to use during April, providing public awareness project ideas, public relations information, promotional materials and community involvement suggestions.

On April 4, 2011 the St. George Exchange Club kicked off the awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month by donating 25 “Time Out” Teddy Bears to the Children’s Justice Center, along with 40 “Time Out” Teddy posters to the Washington County School District for their schools. The National Exchange Club Foundation has adopted Time Out Teddy as its national spokes bear to carry the message of good parenting across America.

Following this presentation the club has also organized and printed 65,000 Child Abuse Prevention flyers listing community resources for children and family in our area. Of the 65,000 flyers, 26,000 will be sent home with school children and the remaining flyers distributed throughout the rest of the county.

Co-sponsors of the CAP Flyer Project are left to right:

Bob Green, Washington County School District

Logan Reid, Southwest Behavioral Health Center’s Prevention Team

Brian Tenney, TenneyClemonsSaarelainen Advertising

Patricia Scheffield, Children’s Justice Center

Tom Bayles, President-Elect St. George Exchange Club

Jinks Dabney, St. George Exchange Club Foundation

Not Pictured: Neal Smith St. George Exchange Club CAP Flyer Project Committee Chair

St George News link

March Students of the Month

Today was our Student of the Month presentation.

Left to right:

Bill Hudson, St. George Exchange Club President

Patrick Kelly, Tuacahn High School, son of Michael & Gloria Kelly

Esteban Bautista, Millcreek High School, son of Esteban Bautista Sr.

Elisha Proffit, Dixie High School, daughter of Robert & Peggy Proffit

Luis Morfin, Pine View High School, son of Roberto & Cecilia Morfin

Riley Pearce, Snow Canyon High School, daughter of Brent Pearce

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Today's speakers were Tom and Denise Webster. Tom is a retired Air Force officer who is now working part time for the past four years at the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. Denise is a Reserve volunteer. They shared information about the reserve and brought a couple of turtles and a gila monster to help keep us awake.

The Reserve was established in 1996 to protect a large, diverse, and functional expanse of habitat capable of sustaining wildlife populations threatened by rapid development and habitat loss across Washington County in southwestern Utah. Located immediately adjacent to several growing communities, the Reserve also protects the cities’ scenic red rock backdrop and an increasingly popular area for recreation.

The Reserve spans across the north central portion of Washington County in southwest Utah. It is approximately 20 miles wide and 6 miles deep. The Reserve is north of Ivins, Santa Clara, St. George and Washington City, south of Leeds, and west of Hurricane and LaVerkin. The Reserve is trisected by Highway 18 in the west and I-15 in the east. There are many access points and trails for recreational opportunities within the Reserve.

For more information visit their website.

DSC and the Dove Center Present: Greg Mortenson

Lani Puriri, Director of Public Relations at Center for Media Innovation (CMI), introduced our speakers this morning. Lani is married to Ra who presented to us on March 3rd about the Middle East. Our presenters today were Del Beatty and Kay Whitlock.

Del is the Dean of Student Services at Dixie State College. He shared some of the challenges the college is facing with getting students more involved in social interaction. Kay is on the Board of Directors with the Dove Center. Together they promoted the upcoming charity event for the Dove Center, Greg Mortenson presenting "Peace Through Education". This will be a very educational and inspiring message from the author of Three Cups of Tea, Stone for Schools, and Listen to the Wind.

Click here to purchase tickets to this event or call 652-7800. You can either attend one of the three shows (all shows are on March 31st) or attend the charity dinner which includes tickets to the 7:00 show.

SUPAF AWARDS NIGHT 2011

Tonight was the SUPAF Awards Night. We had a great turn out and gave our a lot of awards. YellowPix was there and seemed to be a big hit. A big thanks to Hayley Winsolw for another great festival.

PAX Exchange Program

Todays presenter was Laurel Paul, Community Coordinator for PAX. PAX - Program of Academic Exchange is a non-profit educational organization that promotes and arranges international student exchange to foster the positive development of the world's young people and to support international peace, friendship and cross-cultural understanding.

Founded in 1990, PAX provides young people from the United States and abroad with opportunities to live with a family in another country and to study and travel abroad. Each year up to 600-800 high-school students participate in international exchange through PAX.

While PAX has a global vision, the organization works one student at a time. Committed to a quality program that is small and personal, PAX works exclusively with high school exchange. All PAX programs feature a homestay experience with a family abroad.

For more information call Laurel at 435-251-8212 or visit their website: PAX website

Ra Puriri and the Middle East

Ra Puriri, presented to us today. He gave a fascinating commentary on the Middle East. His wife is Lani Puriri and they have six children, 5 boys and one girl, all highly educated. Lani works for DSC. Ra is a plumber by profession but teaches others like engineers and manufactures how to use the internet to design water systems around the world, and in that capacity comes into contact with people from the Middle East. He has some family in Egypt and some other Arab countries and has been in contact with them over the past several months. His views and comments parallel much of what you can read in the Wall Street Journal and in the New York Times. I hope the link helps to provide you with more information.

Here is Ra's blog: http://tradewarrior.wordpress.com

February Students of the Month

February Students of the Month, they are from left to right:

Bill Hudson, Club President
Kristina Stewart, Snow Canyon High School, daughter of Chuck & Cindy
Stewart
Kelsee Broadhead, Desert Hills High School, daughter of Mr & Mrs Paul Broadhead
Brooke Snow, Dixie High School, daughter of Courtney & Kalynn Snow
Adrianna Guerrero, Millcreek High School, daughter of Carlos & Veronica
Guerrero
Karli Rasmussen, Tuacahn High School, daughter of Kirk & LaRea Rasmussen
Madison Fackler, Pine View High School, daughter of Keven & Cindy
Fackler

St. George Exchange Club plants trees for City

St. George, UT, February 7, 2011 — Members of St. George Exchange Club gave up a portion of their Saturday, February 5 - a total of 21 man (and woman) hours - to plant over 35 trees along the walking trail at the Bloomington Hills North Park. Proceeds were raised and given to the city to purchase the trees by the St. George Exchange Club at the end of last year.

The event was a little early for Earth Day but perfectly timed to coincide with National Weatherman's Day - and the weatherman did not disappoint. Mother Nature cooperated, delivering a warmer-than-usual early February morning for the hard work of digging holes and positioning the over 35 6 ft. tall (mostly) elm trees. It was a beautiful day to plant trees and enjoy our beautiful surroundings. Plans are in the works for members of the St. George Exchange Club to plant more trees this coming April, in celebration of Arbor Day, a day set aside since 1872 for planting and caring for trees!

The Learning Center Forever Home

Debbie Justice from The Learning Center was our guest speaker today.

Debbie has a Masters degree in Family Support Studies from Nova Southeastern University and is a Fellow of the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. She is the founder and Executive Director of The Learning Center for Families, a family support agency for vulnerable pregnant women and children ages birth to three. She is serving as adjunct staff in the Early Childhood Education Department at Dixie State College. Debbie is passionate about ‘building better babies and is actively involved in many local, state and national initiatives for developing and improving outcomes for disadvantaged children and their families.

And if that sounds kind of stiff, boring and pompous, You can use any of the following to substitute for the above:

• Was a musician for 18 years in a rock and roll band and recorded an album in the 70s when they were made out of vinyl.
• Lived in the interior of Mexico for 5 years where she studied silver smithing.
• Adopted two ethnic children before little babies of color were considered a Hollywood Fashion Accessory.
• Worked for 3 years in South Central Los Angeles as a home visitor for infants and toddlers with special needs and only got shot at once (but got massive amounts of parking tickets).
• Was at Woodstock and Altamont!

On second thought, maybe we should stick with the boring pompous stuff.

Debbie presented information about the TLC Forever Home. It will cost $2.2 million and they are asking for room sponsors ranging from $20,000 up to $110,000. They are also selling namesake bricks for $250. A fundraising Valentine's Day dinner is scheduled at the Abbey Inn at $50 per plate. For more information see their website: www.tlc4families.org

January Students of the Month

Todays meeting was our Student of the month presentation. Left to right:

Bill Hudson, St. George Exchange Club President
Kyla Mercier, Dixie High School, daughter of Amy Fletcher
Lauren Cook*, Snow Canyon High School, daughter of Karen & Alan Cook
Brandy Phillips, Snow Canyon High School, daughter of Roy & Karen Phillips
Libertee Valenzuela, Tuacahn High School, daughter of Tamee Valenzuela
Andrew Justvig, Desert Hills High School, son of Stacy Justvig
Morgan Wood, Pine View High School, son of Conn & Carol Wood
Ian Crawford, Millcreek High School, son of John Crawford

*Lauren is the Student of the Month from November, and the rest are from
January.

Southern Utah Home Builders Association

Today's meeting was a presentation from Mari Smith, Director of Operations at the Southern Utah Home Builders Association (SUHBA).

Mari Smith has been employed by SUHBA for 10 years. She oversees the daily SUHBA operations, coordinates the annual St. George Area Parade of Homes, Ultimate Home Expo, Scholarship Golf Tournament, and handles public and community relations for the Association. Mari has contributed countless hours to Habitat for Humanity and has served on their Board of Directors. She enjoys volunteering for her church and has served in many positions. Mari was on the planning committee for the building of the Doctors Volunteer Clinic and coordinated many aspects including fundraising, building construction, and opening ceremonies. Mari will also assist with coordination of the Doctors Volunteer Clinic expansion that will occur in the spring of 2011. Mari has been married for 23 years and has three sons (triplets). They are the joy of her life.

Roy Roger's Daughter

CHERYL ROGERS-BARNETT

is the adopted daughter of Roy Rogers and his first , Arline, who died when Cheryl was six years old. While on a personal appearance tour in Texas, Roy stopped off in Dallas and visited the babies at Hope Cottage. As Roy told it, all the babies in the nursery would cry whenever he leaned over their cribs and tickled them under the chin. All, that is, except Cheryl, who grasped his finger, smiled and cooed. He said it was love at first sight and he couldn't wait to take her home to Arline. A year following Arline's death, Roy married his co-star Dale Evans on New Year's Eve of 1947 and, as they say, the rest is history.

Cheryl's professional life has included banking and finance in the entertainment industry, property management for a food service company with holdings throughout the U.S. and Mexico, and managing the offices of a legal firm and a civil engineering company. She is currently on the Advisory Board of the Western Music Association. She has also contributed her time and talent to many worthwhile charitable groups. Along with Dale, Cheryl was a charter member of the parent organization of Childhelp USA, which still leads the national battle against child abuse. Cheryl and her husband, Larry, live in Washington, Utah. They have seven grown children and 14 grandchildren.

Today, Cheryl keeps busy promoting her recently released book, The All-American Cowboy Grill, which she wrote with Ken Beck and Jim Clark. It contains new pictures and grilling recipes from “reel and real” cowboys, along with interesting facts about the old West. She also promotes her autobiography Cowboy Princess; Life with my Parents Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Golden Boot Awards benefitting the Motion Picture and Television Foundation, and is on the board of directors of the Beverly and Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History which opened June, 2006 in Lone Pine, California.

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