HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK Peter Ostrowski     MAR 18 Christopher Markley  MAR 19 Anne Aufiero         MAR 20 Mark Totaro          MAR 22 Paul Mahoney       MAR 22 Lou Grammes       MAR 23 Gib Parthemore     MAR 29	HAPPY March Anniversaries Harry Banzhoff    54 years    Joe Capita  12 years Bob Spicer  42 years    John Judson  10 years Al Schmidt  37 years    Shelly Myers  9 years Bob Hostetter  30 years     John Klobusicky  2 years Chuck Friedman  30 years     Laurie Saltzgiver   2 years Janice Black  19 years    Pauline Wallin  2 years Charlie McNutt  19 years Ron Guss 16 years John D. Morefield  15 years

PROGRAM: 
Presenters:

• Michael Reinsdorf - Michael leads the ownership team and will be traveling here from Chicago for the presentation. He is the 'featured' speaker.
• Randy Whitaker - Randy is the new General Manager of the Senators and a native of Harrisburg. Randy will be participating in the presentation.
• Bill Davidson – Bill is the Vice President of Operations for the Senators. Bill will also participate in the presentation.

Bios:
Michael Reinsdorf led an investment group that acquired the Harrisburg Senators, a AA affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Michael serves as the President of Senators Partners, LLC. Stockton Thunder. Michael is the Chairman of Stockton Hockey Franchise Group, L.L.C. (Stockton Thunder) and is the Chairman of Stockton Football Franchise Group, L.L.C. (Stockton Lightning).  He also is Managing Director of International Facilities Group, LLC (IFG). The firm, which started operating in 1995, provides development and facilities management services to municipalities and professional sports team owners. IFG has participated in excess of two billion dollars worth of development projects. Some of IFG’s projects include, Comerica Park-Detroit Tigers, Miller Park “ Milwaukee Brewers, and Great American Ball Park “ Cincinnati Reds. Michael is a Managing Member of IFG-Stockton Management Group, LLC. IFG manages the new Stockton Arena, the Banner Island Ballpark, the Bob Hope Theatre and Oak Park Ice Arena. The 10,000 seat arena opened in December 2005 and is part of a mixed-use waterfront development in downtown Stockton, which includes the Arena, Banner Island Ballpark, 150 room conference hotel, retail and parking structure. On behalf of Mercantile Capital Partners I, LP serves as a Chief Executive Officer of the Cedar Rapids Roughriders, a hockey team in the United States Hockey League. Since Mercantile’s purchase of the team and taking over operating control, under Michael’s leadership the Roughriders have increased paid attendance, corporate sponsorship revenues, and overall net operating income for all 3 years of its ownership. In 2005, the Roughriders won the USHL Clark Cup League Championship. Michael serves as an Alternate NBA Governor for the Chicago Bulls and also is a member of the Chicago Bulls Board of Directors. Michael is a graduate of the University of Arizona with degrees in Finance and Real Estate.
 
Randy Whitaker is General Manager for Harrisburg Senators baseball, double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals of the National League of Professional Baseball November 2007 to present. Responsible for total business operations of the team on the local level, as well as the maintaining the relationship with the parent club in Washington, D.C..  Randy is an extreme baseball fan for over 35 years with a particular affection for minor league baseball and the business of the game.  He has attended games at 96 different ballparks.
 
Bill Davidson is VP of Operations with the Harrisburg Senators.  He is also a principal with National Sports Services, one of a select few sports consulting firms that provide comprehensive services for the operation of minor league sports franchises and the development and operation of sports facilities. Bill and his partners have over 50 years of combined experience in owning, operating and consulting with professional sports franchises, and decades of experience with facility development and operations.

Prior to joining NSS as a principal in the mid-1990s, Bill spent 11 years as a General Manager at the AA level.      

UPCOMING PROGRAMS / MEETING LOCATIONS:  
Mar 17                                   Michael Reinsdorf, Bill Davidson and Randy Whittaker
333 Market Street            "Harrisburg Senators-The Next Generation"
RSVP required               

Mar 24                                   NO MEETING

Mar 31                                   Dave Butcher and Mayur Patel,
Hilton                                     WCI Partners and Hersha Hospitality Group
                                                “Why we are investing in Harrisburg’s future? - Two key players tell us why”

Apr 7                                      Peter Greer, Hope International
Hilton

Apr 14                                    Mayor Stephen Reed
Hilton

For complete programming go to our website: hbgrotary.org and click on calendar.

NEWS AND NOTES:  
• DISTRICT CONFERENCE: Thursday, May 8- golf, May 9-May 10.  Early Registration before 3/16.  Register: Forms are on the information table or Go to our website www.hbgrotary.org and then to the District.
Please make sure you have paid your $100 Harrisburg Rotary Foundation.

•   HAPPY HOURS ARE BACK!
Do you like to have fun; meet new and interesting people; and do you need a Rotary make up?  If you answered yes, yes and yes, then you are definitely going to want to join us at the upcoming Rotary Club of Harrisburg Happy Hour events. These are fun, social mixers from 5 to 7 PM where fellow Rotarians and their guests meet at one of our area restaurants and nightclubs and receive an attendance make-up!
 
On March 27 we will be enjoying a “bit of the green” just after the “big” day at Molly Branningans 31 N 2nd Street.  You do not have to wear anything green to get lucky with this March Happy Hour.
 
Plan to enjoy a cold drink and some world-famous pizza on April 24 at Carmellas (right next to the Hilton on 2nd street ).
 
On May 22, our gang will head over to Briccos-which has to be one of the coolest spots in town to be seen.  Briccos is at the corner of 3rd and Chestnut Streets.
 
As summer heats up, we will take our Happy Hour outside!  Yes, the Hilton will host this event June 26 right in front of the hotel at their patio bar.
 
The fellowship committee invites all Rotarians and their guests to these four fabulous Happy Hour events.  YOU WILL RECEIVE ATENDANCE CREDIT!

•   SUPPORT OUR TROOPS PROJECT
Donate $10 cash or check payable to the Harrisburg Rotary Foundation, in support of our 2007-08 goal to raise another $2,000 to assist the non-profit “Wounded Warrior Project” minister to the personal needs of our severely wounded troops who face long-term rehab in military hospitals. Your contribution is 100% tax deductible.

For meeting cancellations due to inclement weather.... Tune to ABC27-TV
or check your e-mail or call the Rotary office at 234-1208.

ATTENDANCE:
LAST ROTARY MEETING: 3/10/08       58%
Rotarians   82  Active Specials  8    Guests  18  Visiting Rotarians  0 =  108

Minutes by Steve Baloga: 

President Carrie brought the meeting to order at the Hilton as customary with singing, the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation.
Pattie Hindermyer introduced guests and visiting Rotarians.
Bonnie McCarthy delivered the Rotary Minute. She discussed some of the activities Rotary sponsors in Turkey including training in the Hospitality Industry.

Announcements and Committee Reports:

Anne Alsedek introduced the students and teachers of the quarter from Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg – John Harris Campus, and Sci Tech High Schools.

Ron Guss announced that on March 15 and 16 our club is sponsoring Youth Exchange Weekend for around 30 students. Volunteer chaperones are needed for Saturday morning, afternoon, evening and overnight (Midnight to 7 AM) and Sunday breakfast. Activities will occur in downtown Harrisburg so logistics are simplified. Please contact Ron or Caryn Carr to volunteer.

Carolyn Dumaresq announced that she is looking for two individuals to serve as volunteers for the Governor’s Pre-K Counts program. The next meeting is April 14. Please provide a resume to Carolyn if you are interested.  Carolyn also announced our Strategic Planning session will be held April 30 at PSEA’s offices from 4 to 9 PM. A working dinner will be provided.

President Carrie acknowledged the following members “in the news” - Pauline Wallin, Michael Hanes, Mark Totaro, and Sally Klein.

Program:
Maria Persico introduced our speaker, Karen Gunnison, Executive Director of the Murata Business Center in Carlisle. Murata is a business incubator sponsored by CREDC that provides low cost rental space, common area services and other support for small start-up business in Central PA. After becoming self-sufficient in around five years, the businesses “graduate” out into the community. Murata targets software development, service and light manufacturing businesses. The Center also facilitates the awarding of Keystone Innovation Zone tax credits and funding for interns to its business.

Next week at 333 Market Street. Please RSVP to Linda to reserve a lunch!!!!