What’s New In 2-Wheeled Fun

Wednesday Oct. 21—Did you know that most Cedar Falls residents live within one mile of a bicycle trail?

According to Brent Johnson, the owner of BikeTech, a bicycle specialty store, that is one of the reasons why bicycling in one of its various types and styles is such a popular pastime. There are bikes designed for common recreational riding as well as models suited for mountain and off-trail riding and even for extreme sports.

One of the latest advances is electronic shifting, which replaces mechanical cables with a computer cable for smooth and precise shifting.

A state association is working to improve the image and importance of bicycling for recreation, fitness and basic transportation.

We appreciate the time Brent spent with us today and for his informative comments.

Rough Riser Kiwanians Scan the Walls for QR

October 20, 2015 - What do you do when your walls are covered with secret codes like this?  You do what any other 21st century person would do . . . you pull out your smart phone (or tablet) and scan this QR code to see what it does.

(Scan this one and you will have a big surprise.)

Last Wednesday, we had Leigh Zeitz, associate professor of Instructional Technology at UNI, introduce us to QR codes.  The codes are codes that we can create and scan with our smart phones.

Zeitz instructed us in downloading the scanning app - I-Nigma onto our phones (or the iPads he brought.)  Once we downloaded the apps, we started to scan the black code boxes that were taped on the walls and placed on our tables.

It was fun.  These codes connected us with a lot of cool things including videos, websites, songs, text messages, photos - there was one that even sent a tweet on Twitter.  It was a fun opportunity.

What to see what Rough Risers look when they are let loose to have fun with technology?  

October is an AWESOME Month for Programs

Wednesday, October 7 - Business Meeting    
Wednesday, October 14 - QR Codes: What are They and How Can I Use Them?
Leigh Zeitz, associate professor of Instructional Technology at UNI, will share QR Codes and what can be done with them. This will be an experience where you will pull our your smartphone and open a new world.

Wednesday, October 21 - The World of Biking: Present and Future

Brent Johnson, owner and leader of Bike Tech, will join us to share the world of biking.  He will describe the basics of biking in the present day and then take us on a tour of his insight into the future of biking.  It should be an exciting tour.

Wednesday, October 28 - The Hidden Story of Confederate Iowa

Sherman Lundy will be sharing  “the rest of the story” as Sherman tells tales of confederate raids on Iowa as well as stories about Iowans who fought in the confederate army during the United States Civil War.

New Officers Selected for the 2015-2016 Kiwanis Year

Leading an active organization like our Kiwanis Rough Risers is not an easy task.  Therefore, it is necessary to keep the leadership fresh and alive.   We turn over our leadership on October 1 of each year when newly elected leaders assume their new roles.

Our leadership is divided into the Executive and Legislative Branches (sorry, no judicial in this system.)  The Executive members are those who lead the club: President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer.  The Legislative members are those who govern the club as the Board of Directors.  In order to keep an on-going critical mass of experienced directors in the group, the term length and expiration dates for directors will vary.  (You can see these in parentheses on the lists below.)

The Executive Branch that will "enter the ring" on October 1, will include:

• Tony Reid - President
• Alan Czarnetzki - Vice-President
• Jim Larson - Secretary/Treasurer
• Rod Hamer - Past President

Our Legislative Branch (Board of Directors) will include:

• Sue Loy - 2016
• Cindy Hahn - 2016
• Bob Ericson - 2017
• Leigh Zeitz - 2017
• Gery Deaver - 2018
• Tim Jones - 2018

Greeters for the Rest of the Year 2015

Here is a brief list of the members who will be greeting you in the upcoming weeks. Find your name and put it in your calendar.

October 7          Dave L.
October 14        Sue L.
October 21        Doug N.
October 28        Bob N.
November 4      Tony R.
November 11    Tom R.
November 18    Jerry S.
November 25    Greg S.
December 2      Nick T.
December 9      Gene T.
December 16    Stan
December 23    Jeff W.
December 30    Liz W.

Revisiting the Past and Looking Towards the Future

Wednesday Sept. 23—State Senator Jeff Danielsen talked to our group today about the successes of the past legislative session and the challenges that must be faced during the next one. 

Bipartisan support led to an increase in the gas tax, so more improvements and timely repairs can be made to Iowa’s road system. After lagging behind the other state universities the past few years in funding, the University of Northern Iowa came out well during this past legislative session.

A revamped IT system is projected to save the state $300 million each year.

 

Goals for the next session are to find ways to keep more young teachers in the profession and to slow down the mushrooming cost of Medicaid.

Thank you for sharing your views, Senator.

Our Installation Banquet is Coming on October 1

The Cedar Falls Rough Risers will hold it’s annual Installation Banquet on Thursday October 1, 2015 at the Clarion Inn in Cedar Falls, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The 2015-16 board will be installed by Katie
Orlando Lt. Governor Kiwanis International from Waterloo. The officers will be: Tony Reid-President; Alan Czarnetzki-Vice-President; Jim Larson- Secretary/Treasurer; Rod Hamer Past President. Board members to be installed are; Gery Deavers, Tim Jones, Bob Ericson, Leigh Zeitz, Sue Loy and Cindy Hahn.

The club will celebrate the year completed and look forward to the plans for the coming year. One
highlight will be naming this year’s Hixson Fellowship Award recipient given in the name of an outstanding member, which supports $1000 contribution to Kiwanis International’s Eliminate Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus Program.

Kiwanis Mission- is the belief that the most effective way to enhance a community is to enhance its children. When you give a child a chance to learn, experience, dream, and succeed, great things will happen. The Rough Risers purpose is to serve the Children of the Cedar Valley.

Views From Our Statehouse Connection

Wednesday Sept. 16—Walt Rogers who represents Cedar Falls in the Iowa Legislature joined us today to share his insights on the past legislative session and the one that will begin in January. 

Forming the state budget is the biggest single task that the legislature faces. The largest slice of the budget pie is education, which gets about 56% of the budget so much discussion and debate centers on education.

Medicaid is a rapidly growing expense for the state and will get a lot of attention in the next session, along with Governor Branstad’s plan to privatize Medicaid administration.

We appreciated hearing Representative Roger’s comments that went beyond what we hear in the news about the statehouse.

Local Racetrack Lives On in Book

Wednesday Sept. 9—A prominent person in local history was Jud Tunis, who built a racetrack on the west edge of Waterloo shortly after WWII.

Jim Volgarino, author of Dirt Track Dreams, visited the Rough Risers to share the story of Tunis Speedway as chronicled in his book. The track was originally built for horse racing, as Tunis was an avid horse racing fan.

The track was soon converted to car racing and over the decades, was a popular destination for drivers and fans alike. The last weekly races were held in 1979.

The photos and stories about Tunis Speedway added an interesting chapter to our awareness of local history and events, and we appreciated Jim sharing it with us.

September is Anew with Interesting Ideas

Wednesday, September 2 - Business Meeting      

Wednesday, September 9 - The History of the Tunis Raceway
Jim Volgarino, a local historian who has written a book about the Tunis Raceway, will share its history.

Wednesday, September 16 - Rep Rogers Discusses Issues in Iowa

Rep. Rogers, Assistant Majority Leader of the House, will discuss the major issues of this last legislative session and for the upcoming one, with a special emphasis on issues relating to children.  Walt Rogers represents Cedar Falls at a state level.

Wednesday, September 23 - Senator Danielson Shares Iowa Issues
Sen. Danielson, Chair of the State Government Committee, will discuss the major issues of this last legislative session and for the upcoming one, with a special emphasis on issues relating to children. Senator Danielson represents Cedar Falls in the Iowa Senate.

Food Store Alternative Coming to Cedar Falls

Wednesday Aug. 19—Local citizens who have wanted to own a piece of the grocery store where they shop may soon have their chance.

Tom Wickersham is serving as the board chair of a new food co-op that is planning to open a store in Cedar Falls. As a co-op, anyone who wishes to buy a $200 share may do so, although everyone is welcome to shop at the store even if they don’t own shares. 

The full-service store will emphasize locally produced and wholesome food and will also include a deli. The co-op’s goal is to have 1,000 member-owners before the doors are opened and they are well on their way towards that number.

We wish Tom success with this exciting venture.

The Eliminate Project Reaches $100,000,000

During Kiwanis International’s centennial year, we’ve been celebrating the power of 100. But now that number represents more than just a look back at our past. Today, it became a big step forward.

Kiwanis International is pleased to announce that The Eliminate Project: Kiwanis eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus has reached US$100 million in cash and pledges.

That means the Kiwanis family has saved or protected more than 55 million lives since 2010. And it leaves us just US$10 million away from our fundraising goal of US$110 million.

Five years ago, we made a commitment. Now we’re on the verge of making history. When that moment comes ... how will you be remembered in Kiwanis history?

Make sure you’re part of it! Give today. Then share our big news—and this big opportunity—with family, friends and others.

The Curtain Rises on another Exciting Season at the Gallagher Bluedorn

Wednesday Aug. 12—Steve Carignan of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center joined us today to talk about the 2015-2016 show season, the 15^th year he has been the executive director.

With a roster of events ranging from Jay Leno to Here Come the Mummies, this promises to be an exciting season of entertainment for the Cedar Valley.

Steve also shared with us how the center uses focus groups to select performances and determine ticket prices. Once booked, the task of marketing the performances to the Cedar Valley and beyond through FaceBook, the Internet and other media begins. 

Steve, we appreciate the high quality live entertainment the Gallagher Bluedorn brings to our community.

We Need YOUR HELP in Organizing Programs for 2015-2016

Yes Indeed Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a bustling club with a throng of busy members who attend informative and entertaining programs each Wednesday . . . but we need MORE INVOLVEMENT!  We need more Rough Risers to take the lead in finding and reserving programs.  

Here are the steps in signing up to be a Program Coordinators for a month.

1. Click on this link to get to the Program Coordinator Sign-Up Sheet.
2. Pick a month that is special to you.  (Maybe your birthday month.)
3. Sign-up for the month on our Online Sign-up Sheet (or on paper in a meeting.)
4. Look at a calendar to find the dates of the Wednesdays you will be scheduling.
1. Remember that the first week of the month is our business meeting so no program is needed. 
5. Find 3-4 speakers for your month.  Here are some suggestions for sources
1. You (Share something that you do or pursue - you are some interesting people)
2. Your family and friends (You are connected to some other interesting people)
3. City Leaders
4. Business Leaders
5. Creative Leaders
6. Community Programs that we sponsor
7. Coaches
8. UNI Speakers Bureau

REMEMBER, your speaker doesn't have to be local.  Leigh will help you "beam in" someone special from a distance through our computer system.

New Member Joins Rough Risers

Jason Luders received the coveted KI membership pin and was officially welcomed into the club. The Rough Risers are happy to have you with us, Jason!