O.V. #69 RC of Tularosa 2-22-11

RC Tularosa, this group is really well positioned for success in a lot of ways.  One of the neatest projects that I have seen all year is that they were able to get the school district to allow Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University into the high school.  This in an effort to help educate them prior to graduation about personal finance and the destructive power of debt.  They also have many other project pots abrew.  President Tom is a very welcoming chap.  

Another interesting deal is that there were two Lions (ie Lions Club) there selling tickets for something.  They provided good feedback in that at some point I may be speaking to the largest Lions club in the world over in Lubbock, Texas.....  It was also interesting to see how many Alamogordo Rotarians use Tularosa as a make up.  A solid club of 19 in a town of over 2k, this group has room to grow and I believe they will.

This club has good continuity in leadership.  Also with two wineries in town.... enough said!  Thank you all and good questions during Q&A.  I am looking forward to seeing you all at the DCon!
 

 

President Tom & TP

Ahhhh, YES Steve Schultheiss, President RC of ABQ Metro, I WAS wearing my Rotary pin......

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/roswell-vandals-target-unique-project?ref=scroller&categoryId=10001&status=true

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1984385.shtml?cat=500

Nothing like adding a little 'zing' to begin the week of my last two club visits! 2-21-11

I usually consider Sunday as the beginning of the week.  Well this is the week I am to finish up my official club visits (O.V.).  Tularosa and Ft. Stockton.  Yesterday, I was to have 4 open houses (my life is kind of like a liquidation sale right now)..... the three on the south side and the one I currently reside in (along with 15 other lots in the s. side subdivision.... it's all on the block..).  THEN about 5 minutes before the south side open houses I hear of......ATTACK OF THE LOCALS Pt. III - I hear from the broker that two of the three on S. Lea were vandalized.... 

But not just vandalized. Knucklehead 'Locals' kicked back door in on 2501 and ripped sinks out of bathrooms, leaving water o flowing.... whole house flooded for days without knowing it.... standing water.... unbelievable. In 2503, at least the 'locals' were merciful and turned off the water before they ripped the sinks out. and mirror. $30-50k damage between the two. Lots to say, but arghhhh, life savings invested into south side community development.... Not liking the ROI of doing the 'right thing' today.  

So I ask this..... When you are kicked in the teeth, but you know you are doing the right thing..... are you the type of person that stops or walks away or is your strength of purpose greater than external influences.   Once again, my idealistic self chooses the second option..... argghhh to that too!  Have a great week!

drive from Alpine to ROS through Ft. Davis.....2-18-11

One of the best drives I have had so far this year (with Clayton to Chama one of them, Angel Fire to Mora another, Espanola to Farmington through Chama the third).   This drive would be another 'must see'

O.V. #68 RC of Marfa 2-17-11

What a cool town and neat group the RC of Marfa is.  They meet in a place I would say is something right out of Austin or the hill country, right there in Marfa.  Padre's bar/grill/concert hall is their meeting place and I had my first outdoor club visit (great weather that day).   This club could be considered the equivalent to the 'Club Metro' (ABQ) philosophy, laid back, meets in a bar, does a lot of great Rotary work, and has multiple generations making up the club.

President Cory has a good group here and I heard a presentation from a lady starting a Montessori school in Marfa.  They have a ton of potential to grow this club with a little effort.  This would be a club I would want to me a member at btw in that they operate like a non-traditional club but have been around since 1923.  

President Cory & TP

a Rotarian visiting from Georgia and his family next to the giant tin Mexican musician at Padre's

 The community itself is like a more laid back Santa Fe or even a little Boulder, a low key Austin/Portland with a strong Texas flavor.  Lots of cool stuff to see from museums, art galleries and night life.  Marfa Rotarian Mona took me to her museum/foundation/gallery/recording studio/artist in residence program for a tour.

International Women's Foundation
www.haciendadelarcon.org
705 W Bonnie St
Marfa, TX 79843
432-729-4826
Map and Directions
The mission of the International Woman's Foundation is to enhance the intellectual, spiritual and physical lives of women in the arts. The International Woman's Foundation is located in Marfa, Texas and housed in the 12,000 square foot, 1898-1920 former Bachelor's Quarters and Officers Club (Building 98) at historic Fort D.A. Russell. Founded in 2002 by the International Woman's Foundation (IWF), a non-profit 501 (c) 3 public foundation, is a blend of art and science. Building 98 is specifically known for the hauntingly beautiful murals painted during WWII by two German POW's of General Irwin Rommel's (The Desert Fox) elite Afrika Korps, who were billeted at Fort Russell after their defeat by General George Patton's Third Army in North Africa. The United States First Horse Cavalry of the Black Hawk Knight Dragoons was among the many regiments posted at Fort Russell. The late South African artist, Aedwyn Darroll, who served as the IWF Chairman of the Board of Artistic Advisors, evoked the turn-of-the-century, romantic border military history, in the beautifully stylized, IWF Black Hawk logo. During WWII Building 98 continued to be the social center of the area with the nearby Marfa Army Air Field as a training center for pilots. Building 98 is listed as a National Historic Site by the United States Department of the Interior, a Recorded Historic Texas Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission. January 2007 saw the entire grounds of old Fort Russell listed as a National Historic Monument by the United States Department of the Interior. It is considered a gem of Border Military History and Heritage Tourism. Tours are offered by appointment to visit this beautiful property. IWF offers gallery space for painters and sculptors and hosts seminars and art classes. Building 98 is also a favorite venue for writers seeking a peaceful place for the creative spirit. IWF receives both female and male, mature, short-term artists-in-residence of all disciplines. Artists installations are shown in the Building 98 galleries throughout the year.

Artist Bonita Barlow with her reflective work (no flash).  She uses powdered glass to get the fluorescent effect.

With flash.  All of her work uses light in very interesting ways.....

Mona educating the group I was part of......

This is the bar that Col Patton (before become Gen. Patton) used to drink at... right there in the corner....

www.marfarecording.com