Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Teresa Ferguson
Chair of the Austin Music Commission
Teresa is the melodic voice you will often hear on KUT’s 90.5 FemFM program. Teresa is also the Chair of the Austin Music Commission. The Commission is a volunteer body appointed by the City Council to promote and protect musicians and music in the Austin area.
In a 2001 study, the city found that music brings in $616 Million to our community, provides 11,000 jobs, and brings in $11 Million in city tax revenue.
There are two main festivals in Austin:
Austin City Limits: This past year there were 70-75,000 people a day in Zilker Park. Fifty-five percent of them came from out of town, which helps hotels, cabs, restaurants.
SxSW (just the music portion) brings in about $19.7 Million. The festival is
These two events have helped Austin become an internationally recognized music Mecca. Ten percent of people in our hotels are here for the music and bring in $199 Million/ year. “Music is the heart of our vibrant arts in Austin.”
Challenges:
The supply is greater than the demand, so making a living is difficult. Live music venues are also having a hard time with the cost of real estate, various ordinances (ie Sound), fire codes, etc.
Support groups: Although helpful, they are going in different directions and would be better off to join together on issues. Here are some just to name a few: (just “google” Austin Music Societies for a greater list):
Downtown Austin Alliance,
Austin Music Community, Austin Music Foundation,
Austin Music Co-op,
Sims Foundation,
Music Cares, etc.
Future of Music in Austin:
Ten years ago, our leaders were visionary when they created Cable Ch. 15 which was a city-funded station for Austin music/ videos. The city can no longer fun the station, so a corporate entity is working to take that over.
Also, internet-based radio is growing as is E-music, I-tunes, I-pod. Grassroots listener support internet stations are on the rise.
For more information on the various performances around the city, please visit www.austinchronicle.com or www.austin360.com .
If you have any other questions, Teresa can be reached through the KUT website at www.kut.org .
Chair of the Austin Music Commission
Teresa is the melodic voice you will often hear on KUT’s 90.5 FemFM program. Teresa is also the Chair of the Austin Music Commission. The Commission is a volunteer body appointed by the City Council to promote and protect musicians and music in the Austin area.
In a 2001 study, the city found that music brings in $616 Million to our community, provides 11,000 jobs, and brings in $11 Million in city tax revenue.
There are two main festivals in Austin:
Austin City Limits: This past year there were 70-75,000 people a day in Zilker Park. Fifty-five percent of them came from out of town, which helps hotels, cabs, restaurants.
SxSW (just the music portion) brings in about $19.7 Million. The festival is
These two events have helped Austin become an internationally recognized music Mecca. Ten percent of people in our hotels are here for the music and bring in $199 Million/ year. “Music is the heart of our vibrant arts in Austin.”
Challenges:
The supply is greater than the demand, so making a living is difficult. Live music venues are also having a hard time with the cost of real estate, various ordinances (ie Sound), fire codes, etc.
Support groups: Although helpful, they are going in different directions and would be better off to join together on issues. Here are some just to name a few: (just “google” Austin Music Societies for a greater list):
Downtown Austin Alliance,
Austin Music Community, Austin Music Foundation,
Austin Music Co-op,
Sims Foundation,
Music Cares, etc.
Future of Music in Austin:
Ten years ago, our leaders were visionary when they created Cable Ch. 15 which was a city-funded station for Austin music/ videos. The city can no longer fun the station, so a corporate entity is working to take that over.
Also, internet-based radio is growing as is E-music, I-tunes, I-pod. Grassroots listener support internet stations are on the rise.
For more information on the various performances around the city, please visit www.austinchronicle.com or www.austin360.com .
If you have any other questions, Teresa can be reached through the KUT website at www.kut.org .
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Pat Derr
"Our Rotary Foundation"
Every Rotarian Every Year
Pat pressed on the true foundation of Rotary International - to create a world of understanding and peace. To achieve that, we must help conquer hunger and disease. Here is a review of what we have to offer as an organization:
- PolioPlus has been successful by vaccinating over 2 billion children since 1985. Rotary has committed nearly $600 million to the cause.
- Rotary Centers International Studies: partnered with 8 Universities to establish 7 centers to help build future leaders with a scholarship program for 70 scholars/ year. Fifty-three countries now participate with 39% of scholars coming from low-income countries.
- Group Study Exchange: travel grants for exchange teams including 4 young professional non-Rotarians and one Rotarian team leader. Every team for this year will carry the designation of Centennial GSE Team. Since 1965, Rotary has sent 10,600 people to 100 countries.
- Ambassadorial Scholarships: Established in 1947, it is the largest privately funded international scholarship program with 36,000 scholars from 110 countries.
- Individual Grants: subsidized travel of individuals or small groups for up to 60 days.
- District Simplified Grant: districts use these grants to support short-term humanitarian projects. They are funded by District Designated Funds to support projects locally.
- Matching Grants: Working with international partners, Rotary has spent over $180 million on over 18,000 grants in 115 countries since 1965.
- If we help support Every Rotarian Every Year with a commitment of $100/ year, we can help support these valued programs.
For more information on how to become a sustaining member, please email me or Ben Ford benjamin.ford@twc.state.tx.us .
"Our Rotary Foundation"
Every Rotarian Every Year
Pat pressed on the true foundation of Rotary International - to create a world of understanding and peace. To achieve that, we must help conquer hunger and disease. Here is a review of what we have to offer as an organization:
- PolioPlus has been successful by vaccinating over 2 billion children since 1985. Rotary has committed nearly $600 million to the cause.
- Rotary Centers International Studies: partnered with 8 Universities to establish 7 centers to help build future leaders with a scholarship program for 70 scholars/ year. Fifty-three countries now participate with 39% of scholars coming from low-income countries.
- Group Study Exchange: travel grants for exchange teams including 4 young professional non-Rotarians and one Rotarian team leader. Every team for this year will carry the designation of Centennial GSE Team. Since 1965, Rotary has sent 10,600 people to 100 countries.
- Ambassadorial Scholarships: Established in 1947, it is the largest privately funded international scholarship program with 36,000 scholars from 110 countries.
- Individual Grants: subsidized travel of individuals or small groups for up to 60 days.
- District Simplified Grant: districts use these grants to support short-term humanitarian projects. They are funded by District Designated Funds to support projects locally.
- Matching Grants: Working with international partners, Rotary has spent over $180 million on over 18,000 grants in 115 countries since 1965.
- If we help support Every Rotarian Every Year with a commitment of $100/ year, we can help support these valued programs.
For more information on how to become a sustaining member, please email me or Ben Ford benjamin.ford@twc.state.tx.us .
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Sara Tays
Exxon Mobil Corporation
"Gasoline 101"
Sara began her venture with Exxon Mobil Corporation 3 years ago in Austin as Texas is the home-state for the Corporation with 36,000 employees/ retirees. Exxon is the world's largest private energy company in over 200 countries and produces more the 4.2 million oil-equivalent barrels per day. This still only accounts for 3% of all oil around the world; most oil is owned by individual countries.
Demand is definitely on the rise. Currently, motorists worldwide are consuming 850 million gallons of gasoline each and every day, and Sara says there are no viable alternatives to gasoline at this time. Contrary to popular belief though, Sara says Exxon doesn't actually control gasoline prices. There are several factors that affect cost, #1 being the cost of crude. The Middle East also has a significant impact with concerns about security and the knowledge that 65% of the world's oil reserves are housed there. China is also a factor as it moves towards a more industrialized economy. Forty-percent of all concrete in recent years has been poured in China to build roads and infrastructure; this means a higher demand for transportation and a new reliance on cars.
Sara also touched on different types of fuels called Boutique Fuels. Boutique fuels are formulations created for different areas of the country to adapt to altitudes, temperatures, etc. The United States has 20 variations, and Texas alone has 5.
All-in-all though, Sara says US citizens pay the least amount in taxes on gasoline than in other countries. She compared gas prices to that of Starbucks coffee. Where a barrel of gasoline costs roughly $10, a barrel of Starbucks would cost $33.
So what is the future of gasoline, oil, and transportation? Six-hundred million dollars a year is being spent on research to answer those very questions. Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth, so much research has focused around it. The problem is Hydrogen is particularly sticky, so most research has been experimental at best. We should expect to see an influx in the use of Hybrid cars. Research suggests by 2020, 18% of all cars will be the Hybrid variation (combing internal combustion engine with an electric motor).
For more information on this or to satisfy your curiosity, please visit: www.exxon.com
Exxon Mobil Corporation
"Gasoline 101"
Sara began her venture with Exxon Mobil Corporation 3 years ago in Austin as Texas is the home-state for the Corporation with 36,000 employees/ retirees. Exxon is the world's largest private energy company in over 200 countries and produces more the 4.2 million oil-equivalent barrels per day. This still only accounts for 3% of all oil around the world; most oil is owned by individual countries.
Demand is definitely on the rise. Currently, motorists worldwide are consuming 850 million gallons of gasoline each and every day, and Sara says there are no viable alternatives to gasoline at this time. Contrary to popular belief though, Sara says Exxon doesn't actually control gasoline prices. There are several factors that affect cost, #1 being the cost of crude. The Middle East also has a significant impact with concerns about security and the knowledge that 65% of the world's oil reserves are housed there. China is also a factor as it moves towards a more industrialized economy. Forty-percent of all concrete in recent years has been poured in China to build roads and infrastructure; this means a higher demand for transportation and a new reliance on cars.
Sara also touched on different types of fuels called Boutique Fuels. Boutique fuels are formulations created for different areas of the country to adapt to altitudes, temperatures, etc. The United States has 20 variations, and Texas alone has 5.
All-in-all though, Sara says US citizens pay the least amount in taxes on gasoline than in other countries. She compared gas prices to that of Starbucks coffee. Where a barrel of gasoline costs roughly $10, a barrel of Starbucks would cost $33.
So what is the future of gasoline, oil, and transportation? Six-hundred million dollars a year is being spent on research to answer those very questions. Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth, so much research has focused around it. The problem is Hydrogen is particularly sticky, so most research has been experimental at best. We should expect to see an influx in the use of Hybrid cars. Research suggests by 2020, 18% of all cars will be the Hybrid variation (combing internal combustion engine with an electric motor).
For more information on this or to satisfy your curiosity, please visit: www.exxon.com
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Gene Davenport
District Governor - 5870
Our club was fortunate to be visited by Gene Davenport, District 5870's District Governor. Gene was accompanied by his wife of 41 years, Janet and also by the district Governor-elect, Ed Mullin. Aside from his professional background as an educator and school administrator, it is obvious that Gene has spent years preparing and formulating his priorities for his tenure as District Governor.
As Rotary enters it's centennial year, our district is very fortunate to have someone of Gene's vision and experience at the helm. His main topic, as outlined in his pamphlet provided to everyone in attendance, is "How are the Children." In our society, when meeting a stranger or making small-talk, we talk about the weather, stock market or everyday events. In many societies, Gene relayed that the topic more centers on the status of the children, a much worthier topic than material inquires. He has formulated an extensive list of goals that relate to this topic and others, including water resources and building stronger Rotary organizations. His desire to visit all 61 clubs in our district, which he has previously accomplished, is a very worthwhile goal as his ideals and visions for Rotary International are very admirable and will hopefully be contagious to all the members of our district. Gene was also extremely generous in allocating praise to those who were deserving, such as Ben, Lindsey and Leslie, our GSE representative. Gene's years as an educator will serve as a good background as he leads us in this century year of service.
Gene has also been in contact with Rotary International's leader, Glenn Estess and it was obvious they share mutual goals, improving conditions worldwide that we take for granted in the United States, such as literacy, water resources and nutritional concerns. Together, we as an organization can have a large impact on correcting these problems.
Our organization was very lucky to receive this visitor and we can only hope Gene will come again soon to keep us posted on this progress toward these worthwhile goals.
special thanks to Carleton Turner for this recap
District Governor - 5870
Our club was fortunate to be visited by Gene Davenport, District 5870's District Governor. Gene was accompanied by his wife of 41 years, Janet and also by the district Governor-elect, Ed Mullin. Aside from his professional background as an educator and school administrator, it is obvious that Gene has spent years preparing and formulating his priorities for his tenure as District Governor.
As Rotary enters it's centennial year, our district is very fortunate to have someone of Gene's vision and experience at the helm. His main topic, as outlined in his pamphlet provided to everyone in attendance, is "How are the Children." In our society, when meeting a stranger or making small-talk, we talk about the weather, stock market or everyday events. In many societies, Gene relayed that the topic more centers on the status of the children, a much worthier topic than material inquires. He has formulated an extensive list of goals that relate to this topic and others, including water resources and building stronger Rotary organizations. His desire to visit all 61 clubs in our district, which he has previously accomplished, is a very worthwhile goal as his ideals and visions for Rotary International are very admirable and will hopefully be contagious to all the members of our district. Gene was also extremely generous in allocating praise to those who were deserving, such as Ben, Lindsey and Leslie, our GSE representative. Gene's years as an educator will serve as a good background as he leads us in this century year of service.
Gene has also been in contact with Rotary International's leader, Glenn Estess and it was obvious they share mutual goals, improving conditions worldwide that we take for granted in the United States, such as literacy, water resources and nutritional concerns. Together, we as an organization can have a large impact on correcting these problems.
Our organization was very lucky to receive this visitor and we can only hope Gene will come again soon to keep us posted on this progress toward these worthwhile goals.
special thanks to Carleton Turner for this recap
