Lawrence Central Rotary

Blog

Topeka Community Cycle Project Speaks to Lawrence Central

Ben Alford and Karl Fundenberger, volunteers representing the Topeka Community Cycle Project shared the history of the Topeka initiative with Lawrence Central Rotary. The (TCCP) is a non profit volunteer organization committed to the reclamation and distribution of recycled bicycles and in the process promotes self-reliance, sustainability, and healthful living.

The TCCP work space is open on Thursday evenings and mid-day on Saturdays providing opportunities for members of the community to volunteer their time and/or have access to the free bicycle maintenance work space. The work space includes shop stands and tools in their downtown Topeka location. There are also opportunities for people to learn from shop volunteers how to repair and maintain bicycles. Through an Earn-a-Bike (EAB) program, volunteers refurbish bicycles that would otherwise take up space in a landfill, giving new life and utility to bicycles. Once an individual has invested 10 hours of volunteer time at TCCP, they may pick out a donated bicycle and work with a shop mechanic to refurbish it for their own use. The organization also gives away bicycles and helmets to children and serves as an information source about all forms of cycling and cycling events in the area.

TCCP welcomes donations of time, money, and used bicycles, bicycle parts, and tools. The group is located at 423 S. Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka. They are renovating a historic space for use as their permanent community bicycle work space.

Locally there is some interest in creating a similar work space to refurbish bikes and teach maintenance skills. There is a local group, called Lawrence Unchained Bike Coop that is currently working on the creation of a similar project in Lawrence. For more information about their work and/or to get involved email lawrenceunchained@gmail.com.

March 31, 2014
Dr. Mark Jakubauskas Talks to Lawrence Central About the KU Edwards Professional Science Master’s Program

Professional Science Masters program is a new science-based professional degree, now offered on the KU Edwards campus. Dr. Mark Jakubauskas, the program director, said the idea has been in the works for years and is now available at 71 universities with 300 such programs across the country.

He told Central Lawrence Rotarians that the degree, which began at KU in the summer of 2013, is a combination of graduate-level science and/or mathematics. It is intended for math and science graduates who want careers at the intersection of science and management.

Students enroll in short courses such as business fundamentals, tech transfer, project management, entrepreneurship, regulatory affairs, leadership and ethics with training in communication and team building. Rounding out the program is a required internship.

He called the internship the capstone project. Students are able to apply their skills in the disciplines they choose. Professionals from all areas are involved and provide evaluations of the program as it continues.

“We’re trying to fit the to the specific needs of the businesses out there,” he said. “We’re very excited about this. People who already have degrees in science and technology often don’t want to go on for a Ph.D. but do want to have a masters.

“There’s a lot of interest from businesses about this and the program is exploding. It is the first PSM program within 200 miles of the Kansas City area.”

March 23, 2014
Lawrence Central Receives Thank You From Salvation Army

Lawrence Central Rotarians participated in the 2013 Salvation Army Adopt a Family program. We adopted three families this year and we recently received a certificate of appreciation from them. The Salvation Army does a lot of great work and we’re happy to help out!

March 10, 2014
Lawrence Central’s Next Shelterbox is in the Que

We got a note back from Shelterbox USA that they received our donation of $1000 for another shelterbox. The letter has the serial number of the box so we can track where it went to help people in times of disaster.

If you don’t remember Shelterbox responds instantly following natural and other disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who need it most and each ShelterBox supplies an extended family with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless.

When we know where it was deployed we’ll update you!

March 5, 2014
John McGrew Speaks About Outside for a Better Inside

John McGrew has been interested in the relationship between nature and wellness for decades. Richard Louv coined a term in his book Last Child in the Woods that gave John a name for what he was observing: Nature Deficit Disorder. Realizing that others shared his concerns that today’s children are growing disconnected from nature, he renewed his commitment to luring children away from the plugged in culture that preoccupies them and providing opportunities for them to enjoy the out-of-doors at farms, nature areas, and walking trails. The goal is better physical and emotional development for every child.

John is founder of Outside for a Better Inside, a Lawrence organization that is becoming a leader in the national Children and Nature movement. Outside for a Better Inside has sponsored annual Nature Education Days in Lawrence, often at the Rotary Arboretum in southwest Lawrence. They also commissioned Kelly Hunt, well-known R&B musician, to compose and record a song with the Lawrence Children’s Choir called “Let’s Go Outside for a Better Inside.”

The group’s current initiative is a walking trail to be built this summer in conjunction with the City of Lawrence. It will extend from an entry point northwest of Second and Indiana streets, go past Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Bert Nash, and Lawrence/Douglas County Health Department, continue along the Kansas River to the City of Lawrence Burcham and Constant Parks near Vermont and Sixth Street downtown. The trail has received funding from the Sunflower Foundation.

March 3, 2014