Events Calendar
January 2008 Speaker Series
January 9
Speaker: John Austin, Andy Buchsbaum & George Kuper
Topic: Environmental & Economic Benefits of Great Lakes Restoration
In our first program of the New Year we will learn about the perils that afflict the Great Lakes, how they best can be remedied and at what cost, and the economic as well as environmental bene-fits of fixing these problems before it's too late. An independent Brookings Institution study, funded by the Joyce, MacArthur, Consumers Energy & Dow Chemical Foundations, concluded that $26 billion of public investment in Great Lakes restoration would yield at least $50 billion in long term economic benefits and $30 to $50 billion of additional short-term economic activity in the region. Get the details from one of the study's authors, Brookings Fellow John Austin, and the heads of two of the sponsoring organizations. Host/introducer: Sam Offen.
January 16
Speaker: Bob Bolak, Ann Arbor Radio General Manager
Topic: The Future of Radio in Ann Arbor and the U.S.
With the onslaught of new technology and delivery systems, is radio as we know it a thing of the past? Is the golden age of radio over? How has the local radio landscape transformed over the past several years? You'll hear answers to these questions and much more as Ann Arbor Rotarian Bob Bolak, 20-year veteran of both the programming and management sides of radio and general manager of the four Ann Arbor radio stations, shares his insight and perspective on the constantly changing radio landscape. Host/introducer: Bill Stegath.
January 23
Speaker: William Baker & The Dodsworth Saxhorn Band
Topic: A 19th Century Brass Band . . . at lunch in Ann Arbor in the 21st Century!
One of the little known musical treasures of our area is The Dodsworth Saxhorn Band, a 17-piece ensemble that performs sixty or more times a year all over the country, playing authentic antique brass and percussion instruments and wearing 19th Century costumes. Band leader William Baker will tell us the Band's story and the musicians will present a program of classic 19th Century songs, in the rich tradition of the town bands of the 1800s and quite in keeping with our own cherished tradition of "oldies but goodies" every Wednesday. To prepare for this prestigious gig, the Band provided music for Ken Burns' PBS "Baseball" and "Jazz" series and performed at the White House for the premiere showing of "Baseball. "Host/introducer: Vic Rosenberg.
January 30
Speaker: Stephen Reading, Entrepreneur, Pilot (& Spouse of Agnes!)
Topic: Angel Flights . . . Service Above Self Taken to a New Level
Angel Flight is a nationwide organization of private pilots who donate time, airplanes, and all expenses to fly people from remote areas to hospitals and doctors, then home again. Recipients of these airborne errands of mercy often are too ill to travel any other way and/or unable to afford reliable transportation for critically needed medical attention. Stephen Reading is one of these pilots, as well as a successful local business owner and beloved spouse of Rotarian Agnes. He will tell us more about the project and share some of his own angelic piloting experiences that have made him such a committed volunteer. Host/introducer: Bill Dunifon