A few more upcoming events to put (or keep) on your calendar.

Farmington Rotary will provide volunteers Dec. 9 to help with distribution in the 360 Communities Armful of Love program. It's a remarkably rewarding way to spend a few hours (and you might get to ride a Razer scooter). Talk to Anika if you're interested.

Rotarians have also been invited to the retirement part of 360 Communities' Sal Mondelli. It will take place at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 at Morgan's at Best Western Premiere Hotel, 14201 Nicollet Ave. in Burnsville.

That is also apparently the day of the annual holiday open house from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Ensemble Creative and Marketing, which does a lot of work for Ramble Jam. The event is usually a collection drive for Toys for Tots. Ensemble does a lot for us, so if you're able, and if you can find the details, it would be great to support them back.

Yes, it's cold. It's winter in Minnesota. That happens. But today's a Rotary day. And even better, it's a Student of the Month day. So put on some long underwear. Find your warmest mittens. Wrap a scarf around your entire torso. Then come join us for lunch and help us celebrate a couple of remarkable students.

Our speaker today is Diane Lindo, who along with her business partner created Face 4 Your Future, an elaborate scheme by which your face is replaced with Nicolas Cage's face so you can infiltrate his sinister criminal empire.

Actually, check that. I'm told I'm thinking of the plot to the 1997 film masterpiece Face/Off. Face 4 Your Future is a nonprofit that allows Diane and her partner to "continue their quest of giving back and helping people become the best they can be."

The information I has isn't clear about exactly how they do that, so I can't swear Nic Cage's face isn't involved somehow. Show up and find out, I guess.

The last time we had a regular Rotary meeting we followed it up with a board meeting to talk about our budget. This week we're going to follow up our regular club meeting with a board meeting to talk about our budget. So, if you missed the opportunity to be part of the discussion last time, here's your chance to get in on the fun.

Don't take it lightly.

This week, in our ongoing effort to address the stereotype that young people are the worst we will once again welcome two students of the month.

This month we will recognize Farmington High School student Ryan Jara and Riverview Elementary School student Dylan Henrikson. I don't know more about them than that, but if I had to guess I'd say they're both smart, personable and so involved you'll wonder when they have time to sleep or eat or use the bathroom.

Please don't show up at Celts for our Dec. 15 meeting. There won't be any other Rotarians there. Instead, please show up at St. Michael's Catholic Church to help with our annual senior holiday luncheon. If you can, come early to help us get everything set up.

If you've never taken part, the luncheon is a lot of fun. It's especially fun if you've ever dreamed of working as a server in a restaurant. And who hasn't, am I right?

You may have already seen an email from Sara about this, but the club has money to help pay for Rotarians to attend the Rotary International convention in Atlanta, Ga. I don't keep up that closely on what's happening in the south, but I'm assured that despite what you see on television Atlanta has not in fact been overrun by zombies. So, it might be a good opportunity to attend the convention while it's relatively close to home. Sara's original email is below:

 

Rotary International Convention in Atlanta Georgia, June 10 -15, 2017

 

The Board has approved $6000.00 for the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta Georgia this year.  The amount of money is going to be dispersed to the Rotarian's that will be going.  Please let us know by December 9th if you would like to attend. 

 

The hard costs that the Rotarian attending will be responsible for are Airfare, which is currently running at $414.00 per person on Delta. ( I suggest we wait a month to see what Southwest Airlines come out with as they have a non-stop as well)   The Registration Costs is $340.00 and optional tours per day are anywhere from $50.00 - 75.00 per person.  

 

So the out of pocket cost per Rotarian will likely be around $1000.00 could be more depending on your optional's and how many Rotarian's go.   The $6,000.00 from the Rotary Club will be paying for the hotel accommodations which are at the Marriott Marquis at $205.00 per night. This is planning on 10 Rotarian's attending.

 Each Rotarian will be sharing a room with another Rotarian.  You are welcome to bring your spouse but the costs of them will be 100% on your own. If we end up with more than 10 Rotarian's the monies given by the Rotary club will be dispersed accordingly. 

 

 Please let Sara Butruff now if you will be attending conference and she will help you get registered and hotel accommodations set.  sara@travelleaders.com