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DAVID WAGNER
Wagner Murray Architect
By: Jim Kelly
Bill Blackwell introduced David Wagner with Wagner Murray
Architects. Wagner’s firm has done the architectural work for
projects in Charlotte such as Seventh Street Station, South Tryon
Square, Museum of the New South, and The Green.
According to David, The International Downtown Association, with
Charlotte as a member, is a worldwide advocacy organization
supporting vital and livable downtowns and urban centers. At this
last week’s convention in Vancouver, Charlotte received the one
award given by the association for open space. The award was given
to Wachovia’s The Green, which was in competition with hundreds of
other communities throughout the world. The award represents a
significant accomplishment for Charlotte and for Wagner Murray
Architects.
The Green demonstrated a successful and innovative effort on the
part of Wachovia to create vital urban open space for Charlotte’s
citizens. David mentioned that on November 2, voters will asked to
support $70 million in bonds dedicated to creating more open spaces
including parks and greenway projects. Several million dollars of
that bond package is earmarked for the preliminary design and
development of West Park, a nine- acre area between South Mint,
South Graham, 2nd Street and 4th Street. This property, near Bank of
America Stadium, is owned by Mecklenburg County. In recent months
there has been discussion of this lot being sited for the new arena,
an arena and a park site, a baseball stadium and urban housing.
David believes the best and most fulfilling use of this site would
be for open public space.
David argued that we need more urban open space in Charlotte.
Currently, we have 7,500 people living in the I 277-belt loop.
Within 15 years, that will grow to 20,000. Where will they recreate?
David also stated that only 4% of the total area of Mecklenburg
County is dedicated to park space while 2 to 3% of the area of the
county is being cleared for development. Development is keeping
pace. Park space is not.
David shifted the last few minutes of his talk to the recent
community discussion on public art. Public art faces several
challenges. First, historically, art has been perceived as not
essential to society at large so art education is not truly part of
a public school education. So, there is lack of understanding and
appreciation of public art. Second, for most of our history, open
spaces have been traditionally occupied by monuments and memorials
and therefore contemporary sculpture has never really taken hold.
Third, we have an educational system that does not nurture visual
thinking and thus the general public remains isolated from the
stance of the arts community. So when community leaders referred to
the sculpture at the old Charlotte Coliseum as “Gumby”, this joke
cost the public dearly and brought the notion of public down to a
low level.
So, according to David, Charlotte will have to think innovatively to
produce public spaces and public art that enrich our city.
Head Table:
John Tabor, Cecily Durrett,
Catherine Browning, Bill Blackwell, Tom Wright, Charlie Pitts
Visitors and Guests:
Bill Loftin, Jr., Visitors & Guests:
Jeff Triplette, Song: Richard Early
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ROTARY FOUNDATION DINNER |
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The Rotary Foundation Banquet is scheduled for October 28th at
the Renaissance Charlotte Hotel with Rotary International
President Glenn Estess delivering the keynote message. District
7680 is extremely fortunate to have the Centennial President
address the Foundation Banquet. You can imagine the demand on
his time from Rotarians all over the world. The District is
looking for the Charlotte Club to have at least 46 people
attend. To date, 13 have purchased tickets. As President
Catherine mentioned, one of our own members will be presented a
Service Above Self Award – another most impressive event!
Tickets are available for $35 and can be purchased from Herb
Harriss. Please make every effort to support Charlotte Rotary by
attending what promises to be a very special evening. (Reception
at 6:30, dinner at 7:00) |
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$100 Per Year/Per Rotarian |
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Each year, Rotarians
are being asked to contribute $100 to the Annual Programs Fund
in support of The Rotary Foundation. It’s not about fundraising
– it’s about saving lives and relieving suffering. Contact the
Rotary Office to commit your pledge. |
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Congratulations to
Amy and Edwin Peacock on
the birth of daughter Avery Gail Peacock, born October 1st.
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Tom
Bartholomy, who heads the Charlotte-area Better
Business Bureau, has won the highest award in the Better
Business Bureau system. The Bureau Operations Committee
Meritorious Service Award is given annually to the BBB CEO,
staff member or board member who has contributed the most to
the system.
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From the Charlotte Business
Journal: Accounting firm Greer & Walker (Charlie
Greer) steered into the NASCAR niche just as the
popularity of motorsports exploded – handling accounting
duties for seven drivers and 15 teams competing in the
Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series; Quote from
UNCC Chancellor Jim Woodward
during roundtable discussions with NCEITA over the state’s
technology morass: “Education and research are the core
functions of universities. We are not good at short term
jobs.”
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Kurt Waldthausen, Partner of Coleman Lew &
Associates, Inc., was featured on “Charlotte, A City of
Ethnic Success”, and hosted by Maha Gingrich on CPCC Channel
17.
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Look for
Jeff Triplette to be
referring the game in Indianapolis this weekend.
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Chip Scholz conducted a quick auction of an item
left over from the golf tournament during Tuesday’s meeting.
Give it up for Rock Miralia
for making a $1000 bid on a Dale Jarrett Driving Experience.
Great Support Rock!
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CRISIS
ASSISTANCE MINISTRY
Jim Adams kicked off the club’s fourth year of collecting
clothing to benefit Crisis Assistance Ministry, saying Fall
is in the air and it’s time to think about setting items
aside for the Ministry. Beginning November 2nd and
continuing through the entire month of November, Jim and his
committee will accept and deliver clothing items brought to
the Tuesday meetings. Jim had arranged for home pickup in
past years, and bet he’s willing to make that arrangement
again this year. Remember, warm clothing is needed for men,
women, and children.
USES OF YOUR ROTARY ROSTER
The membership Roster is presented by Charlotte Rotary to
help you become better acquainted with Club members. The
Roster is your personal property under the following
conditions: it must not be given to anyone for circulation
purposes, nor may the names be used as a mail, phone, fax or
email lists for business advertising, political solicitation
or as a list for charitable solicitations by other
organizations.
ROTARY LOGO GOLF SHIRTS
The Club is selling a (yellow) golf shirt with The Rotary
Club of Charlotte/Rotary International logo (in navy) on it
for $30. Sizes on hand: 1 MED, 7 LG, 9 XL, and 1 XXL. Call
the Rotary office if you are interested. |
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Attendance
Record |
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10/05/04 |
10/07/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
13 |
27 |
| club
members |
187 |
206 |
| total
attendance |
200 |
233 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
12 Amy and Edwin Peacock
13 Elaine and Bill Stegelmeyer
13 Martha and Jim Woodward
14 Mev and Rufus Allison
14 Pam and George Wilson
15 Michelle and Robert Fish
15 Lalla and Bob Reid |
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New Members | Resignations |
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n/a |
Billy
King
Rufus Robinson
John Granzow
Mary John Dye
Steve Carter |
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| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
12 Charles Woodyard,
Shelby, NC
14 Gib Smith, Charlotte, NC
15 Joni Davis, Charlotte, NC
15 Sharon O’Morrow Rankin,
Indianapolis, IN
16 Tom Barnhardt,
Charlotte, NC
18 Henry Cantrell,
Morganton, NC |
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