PROGRAM
13 members and guests Neil Granlund of Columbia Heights and Sonja Ketchum of Fridley met at Columbia Heights City Hall to hear Kelly Frankenberg of Art to Change the World speak about the Minneapolis nonprofit, which mediates between arts patrons and artists to fund art projects with a social justice component. Kelly showed projects completed recently.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS: Dec. 11- the club is back at Shortstop Bar & Grill to hear an update from Stew Thornley of the Minnesota Dept. of Health about the condition of water in Minnesota. Dec. 18-member Norma Jean Falink and other members will lead an information session on the Rotary Foundation, coinciding with the reception of the district Rotary Foundation’s check in support of the club district grant project. No meeting is scheduled for the week of Wednesday, December 25, Christmas Day.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bellringing! The club’s traditional activity of the Salvation Army will take place today and on Wednesday, Dec 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sam’s Club 8150 University Ave, Fridley, 90-minute shifts. Enroll with Gordon Backlund for one or more 90-minute shifts at 612-296-0375.
The Operation Pollination group met on Zoom yesterday, with Melissa Trent, Ag Specialist at Coluumbia Heights High School, joining members Amáda Márquez Simula, Kristen Stuenkel, and Bob Tholkes. Stuenkel described the group’s connections with the parent RI group. Má’quez Simula described a Columbia Heights Library program she attended which used online pollinator groups as examples for accessing apps engaging in “citizen scientist’ projects. Trent noted that signage is in place for the high school’s new pollinator garden. Tholkes noted that Metro Blooms, local nonprofit advocating plantings to promote clean water, will present at the club meeting of February 5.
Stuenkel announced at today’s meeting that a pollination concept centering on the Mississippi River is under study at RI.
The District 5960 Midterm event will take place on Saturday morning, January 18, at Hamline University in St. Paul.
REMINDERS
The club’s new VENMO account is now in service. To use it for payments to the club, download the VENMO ap and type in Fridley-Columbia HeightsRotaryClub. The next quarterly invoice is expected in mid-December.
The STRIVE program will visit Anoka Technical College and Anoka Ramsey Community College today.
The next club board meeting has been moved to Wednesday, December 11 at 9 a.m. at Fridley Community Center, 6058 7 St NE. All members are welcome.
With the club board approving an expenditure in
2025-26 for a Rotary grant proposal, members are encouraged to suggest possible projects for either a district or international grant. Contact Secretary Bob Tholkes at
fridleychrotary@gmail.com.
Rotary International announced that the May 27-28, 2028 (changed from 2029) RI convention will be held in Minneapolis. It will be organized cooperatively by Districts 5580, 5950, 5960, and 6250.
Additional mentors for Fridley STRIVE students are sought. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103.
