The Centre is so much more than fitness

   As I scan the number of community events, educational conferences, cultural events and school related activities that have taken place and will take place in the coming weeks at The Centre, Rolla’s 63,000-square-foot health and recreation complex, the first thing that comes to mind is that The Centre, which has recently surpassed the 1.5 million visit mark to the facility, is so much more than fitness.

Just last Saturday, March 19 at The Centre, several members of the Rolla community, including many whom were grandparents, attended what has become the annual Grand-Family Informational Gathering - a day-long free seminar co-hosted by AARP Missouri, The Centre and the University of Missouri Extension. Beginning this Monday, March 28 the annual “Spring Break-out”, a week-long program designed for kids age 6-13 during Rolla Public School’s official week of Spring Break, will be held March 28 through Friday, April 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parents will be able to drop off their kids at 7:30 a.m. and pick them up as late as 5:30 p.m. To register or receive more information, stop by The Centre (1200 N. Holloway Street), or call 573-341-2FUN. The fee for Spring Breakout is $125 for the week, with Centre members receiving a $25 discount. Each additional child from the same family is only $85 for the week.

Looking toward the month of April, the annual Fine Arts Day 2011 will be co-hosted by Rolla High School art students, RHS art teachers, Kent Jewelry and staff at The Centre on Friday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The popular and well attended event includes a jewelry exhibition, demonstrations and student designed jewelry auction. The purpose of the event is to expose area students to how the creative process can be applied with real life results; demonstrate to students the importance of giving back to their community and to raise funds and awareness for the United Way of South Central Missouri. Questions about this event may be directed to Kent Bagnall at Kent Jewelry at 364-1030 or Carolyn Peplow at the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, at 364-3577.

Last month during the month of February Arts Rolla, which hosts several art shows, photographic exhibits, and receptions for local artists who display their work at The Centre, presented the work of several artists with the art group, Local Color. Original art by Arts Rolla artists is continually on display at The Centre where the exhibit changes monthly. In fact, an opening reception is held by Arts Rolla each month on the first Friday of the month between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend the reception, meet the artists and enjoy the reception.

Arts Rolla and The Centre will also be hosting the Youth Art Exhibit, which will feature original artwork created by students ages pre-school through high school at The Centre. Interested students may bring their artwork to The Centre on Friday, April 1, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The art exhibit will include 2-dimensional paper artwork which will be pinned to a cloth that hangs on the wall in The Centre lobby, and 3-dimensional small artworks which will be displayed in the glass case near the entry doors of The Centre. It is requested that each student attach their name, age, title of work, school, and city to each piece of artwork. Each artist will be limited to exhibit two works of art. For more information, please call Arts Rolla at 364-5539 or Jan Roberts at 364-2841.

Later in the month of April, on Saturday, April 23 Breakfast with the Bunny, an annual event held every Easter at The Centre, begins at 8 a.m. Arts Rolla and The Centre provide fun activities for children. The event is free and open to the public.

The list of community events, activities, programs and outreach opportunities held throughout the year at The Centre go on and on, including the annual free Health Fair sponsored by Phelps County Regional Medical Center and attended by hundreds of residents in October; the annual Halloween Costume Contest, Photos with Santa during Christmas, and let’s not forget the nationally recognized summer Licking Basketball and Volleyball tournaments that provide great sporting opportunities and entertainment for literally thousands of youth during a period of six weekends in the gymnasiums at The Centre. The Licking tournaments have reported to attract upwards of 15,000 visitors who spend hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in the Rolla area on hotels, restaurants, fuel, shopping and entertainment.

For the sake of time and space, I have left off several other community events and activities held throughout the year at The Centre, but I think it is fairly evident from the above mentioned activities and events, that The Centre is so much more than fitness. It’s also very much about community, education, art, culture, wellness, health, and recreation for all ages.

In closing, I’d like to remind everyone the City of Rolla Environmental Services Department will hold the City-wide Clean Up on Saturday, April 2. If you wish to participate, we ask that you please place all items near the curb by 6 a.m. Common acceptable items include furniture, beds, toys, microwaves, and televisions, boxed or bagged trash. Unacceptable items include major appliances, construction or demolition debris, and loose trash. Loose items should be placed in boxes or bags and small pieces of lumber should be bundled. We ask that you do not place your roll-out container to the curb, because during this special clean-up it will not be emptied. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Services Department at 364-6693.

I would also like to remind everyone to exercise your democratic right to vote during the Rolla Municipal General Election on Tuesday, April 5. The election will include Proposition A – the proposed ½ Cent Park Sales Tax that is endorsed by the Rolla City Council. Have a safe week! And don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, April 5.

Sponsors needed for Rolla Sesquicentennial Celebration

The Rolla Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee continues to seek sponsors to help defray costs for the Sesquicentennial Celebration and many festivities planned through the day on Saturday, June 4, 2011 in downtown Rolla.

A special thanks goes to the following businesses and organizations that have already made generous contributions to the Sesquicentennial Celebration: Phelps County Bank, Town and Country Bank, Rolla Municipal Utilities and Rolla Noon Kiwanis Club.

If you are interested in being a sponsor and making a donation to the Rolla Sesquicentennial celebration, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948 or stop by Rolla City Hall, Administration Department on the third floor (901 N. Elm Street).

The day-long celebration starts with a “Walk Through History” at 8 a.m. in and around Rolla City Hall with tours of the Frisco Caboose, a vintage photo slide show, oral history PowerPoint show, and tours of the Historic Walking Tour of Rolla. The Sesquicentennial Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Pine Street in downtown Rolla where 15 decades will be represented by various community and civic organizations.

Following the parade, the Sesquicentennial Program begins at 11:30 a.m. at the downtown bandshell. Several City, County and State officials, as well as long-time Rolla residents and historians, and the Rolla High School Choirs will be part of the ceremony, which will include a tribute to Rolla’s rich heritage and history. Later that afternoon at 2 p.m. Sesquicentennial festivities will continue with historical re-enactments, a living history demonstration and lots of historic exhibits, crafters, artisans, displays and tours of the pre-Civil War old Phelps County Courthouse, and the 1857 John A. Dillon Log Cabin, (the first Phelps County Courthouse, which serves now as the Phelps County Historical Museum).

The entire community, State and Midwest region is invited to participate in and help celebrate Rolla’s Sesquicentennial and milestone event on June 4, 2011. For more information, please contact Scott Grahl, Chairman of Rolla’s Sesquicentennial Committee, and the City of Rolla’s Communications Officer, at 573-426-6943 or at sgrahl@rollacity.org.

Exhibitors needed for Rolla Earth Day Celebration April 22

The 10^th Annual Rolla Earth Day Celebration will be held Friday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Missouri S&T Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building at 10^th Street and State Route 63.

   Businesses, government offices, and non-profit organizations are encouraged to participate. Rolla Earth Day exhibits are limited to organizations sharing information about topics related to sustainability, recycling, environmental best practices, earth and biological sciences and environmental policy. 

   Last year, approximately 1,500 children and adults attended the event. Hands-on childrens activities are encouraged. Giveaways are allowed but only if they relate to the theme (such as trees, seeds, flowers planted in biodegradable flower pots, or products made from natural and/or recyclable materials). This year’s theme is:  Live Green, Love Green, Think Green.

   For more information, please contact Julie Wilson at 341-4262 or wilsonjulie@mst.edu at your earliest opportunity. You can register your exhibit at http://green.mst.edu/Exhibitors.html. Rolla Earth Day Celebration is a free event that includes childrens activities, educational exhibits, live music, a fashion show with items made from recycled materials, and more.  The event will take place rain or shine.

Sesquicentennial float brings Rolla’s history to life

Thanks to the glorious spring-like weather last Saturday, attendance at the 103^rd annual St. Pat’s parade was in the thousands. And it was truly an honor to join City Administrator John Butz, our police and fire chiefs, department heads, and other Rolla city employees on the City’s Sesquicentennial pioneer-themed float that showcased not only Rolla’s 150 year anniversary, but the great since of history and tradition that is part of Rolla’s heritage.

   Not unlike one of the nostalgic living history floats you might see depicting an American slice of life in a Walt Disney parade, the City’s Sesquicentennial float, with its fire-operated forge, cannon, Civil War era musket, and tent, embodied the spirit of Rolla’s pioneer history. And if you happened to miss seeing the Sesquicentennial float, you will have another opportunity to see everything that was showcased on the float, and then some during Rolla’s day-long Sesquicentennial Celebration on Saturday, June 4. Pioneer era crafters, such as a blacksmith, quilters, rope makers, and even corn-husk doll artisans will all be part of the festivities that are being planned that afternoon (12-4 p.m.) in the area in and around the Old Phelps County Courthouse. Showcasing and sharing Rolla’s pioneer heritage, in fact, is one of the main themes that the Rolla Sesquicentennial Planning Committee intended for every aspect of Rolla’s Sesquicentennial anniversary, which is being celebrated throughout 2011.

   While much of the recognition for Rolla’s Sesquicentennial float needs to go to the ancestors and pioneers who helped settle the Rolla and Phelps County area, I would be remiss not to thank Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works; John Petersen, Community Development Director; and George Lewis, Maintenance Manager at The Centre, for setting up and decorating the 28-foot-long float that glided through the crowds on Pine Street during the St. Pat’s Parade. I would also like to thank Anne McClay, Project Coordinator in the Engineering Division, for her work in designing all the banners for the float, and Lawrence Light, Equipment Operator in the Street Department, for driving the dump-truck that pulled the float and showcased the City’s new red, white and blue flag that now flies in the City’s downtown festival lot. The banners that were so effectively used for the parade float, will also now be displayed throughout the downtown area to promote Rolla’s Sesquicentennial Celebration on June 4, and Public Works Celebration Day, which will be held on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the downtown bandshell. One side of the parade float showed a banner promoting the Rolla Sesquicentennial Celebration and another side of the float showed a banner promoting Public Works Celebration Day – not a bad way to start off the spring and summer seasons in Rolla, Missouri!

   When you think of Spring, you can’t help to also think of the many good things that come with warmer weather, trees and flowers blooming, birds migrating, and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors enjoying the many recreational activities made possible by our City’s park system, 12-mile-long pedestrian/bike trails and 1.3 million acres of forests we are so fortunate to have in our community. Spring also means there will be a City-wide Clean Up that is held annually the first Saturday in April. The City’s Environmental Services Department will coordinate the Clean Up on Saturday, April 2. If you wish to participate, we ask that you please place all items near the curb by 6 a.m. Common acceptable items include furniture, beds, toys, microwaves, and televisions, boxed or bagged trash. Unacceptable items include major appliances, construction or demolition debris, and loose trash. Loose items should be placed in boxes or bags and small pieces of lumber should be bundled. We ask that you do not place your roll-out container to the curb, because during this special clean-up it will not be emptied. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Services Department at 364-6693.

   Looking towards the month of April, I would also like to remind everyone to exercise your democratic right to vote during the Rolla Municipal General Election on Tuesday, April 5. The election will include Proposition A – the proposed ½ Cent Park Sales Tax that is endorsed by the Rolla City Council, which recently approved a resolution in support of the Rolla Park Sales Tax proposal. The resolution states that in December 2010 a citizen survey was conducted demonstrating 70% of those surveyed support extending the ½ cent Parks Sales tax in order to fund park system improvements, provide a seniors’ services facility and to improve public safety. In light of considerable public feedback on the needs and desires of a quality parks and recreation system for the citizens of Rolla, the City Council also approved an ordinance calling for the April 5, 2011 Park Sales Tax election.

   For more information regarding the results of the 2010 Direction Finder Citizen Attitude survey, and the Parks Sales Tax fact sheet, please visit the City’s Website homepage at  www.rollacity.org. Specific questions and results on both the City’s Parks system and the proposed Parks Sales Tax are included in the survey. Hard copies of both the Parks Sales Tax fact sheet and Direction Finder Citizen Attitude survey are available at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.

   With the recent welcomed news that the construction of a new Kohl’s store will be breaking ground soon next to Lowe’s on State Route 63 North in Rolla, the construction of the attractive Missouri S&T new Student Design Center at the corner of 10^th Street and State Route 63, the new Bryant Drive Extension (connecting Kingshighway to Fairgrounds Road), and expansion of the Missouri S&T Innovation Park, 2011 is looking like the City’s Sesquicentennial anniversary couldn’t have occurred at a more progressive, and promising time in our City’s 150 year history.

   Have a safe week! And don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, April 5.

Rolla City Council approves Resolution in support of Rolla ½ Cent Park Sales Tax

The Rolla City Council recently approved a resolution in support of Proposition A – the proposed ½ Cent Park Sales Tax.

   The resolution states that in December 2010 a citizen survey was conducted demonstrating 70 percent of those surveyed support extending the half-cent parks sales tax in  order to fund park system improvements, provide a seniors’ services facility and to improve public safety.

   In light of considerable public feedback on the needs and desires of a quality parks and recreation system for the citizens of Rolla, the city council also approved an ordinance calling for the April 5 park sales tax election.

   For more information regarding the results of the 2010 Direction Finder Citizen Attitude Survey, click here, and to review the Parks Sales Tax Fact Sheet, click here. Specific questions and results on both the city’s parks system and the proposed parks sales tax are included in the survey. Hard copies of both the parks sales tax fact sheet and Direction Finder Citizen Attitude survey are available at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.  

Proposition A - 1/2 Cent Park Sales Tax on Rolla General Municipal Election Ballot April 5

   The City of Rolla’s 2011 General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2011. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

   The positions open for election this year include: one Council Representative for all six wards (two-year term) and Municipal Judge (to fulfill a one-year unexpired term).  

   Also appearing on the April 5 ballot is Proposition A – the proposed ½ Cent Park Sales Tax. The ballot language on Proposition reads as follows: “Shall the municipality of Rolla, Missouri impose a sales tax of one-half (1/2) of one percent for 10 years beginning Oct. 1, 2011, reduced to three-eights (3/8) of one percent beginning October 1, 2021, for the purpose of funding local parks for the municipality, including construction, operation and maintenance of a new community and senior services center?”

   The primary purpose of the park sales tax is to fund the operations of the parks and recreation Department and to construct and operate a senior center. A small portion of the funds will be utilized to ensure the sustainability of The Centre. The park sales tax will free dollars to be spent on municipal services such as public safety (police & fire) and on economic development. For more information regarding the details of Proposition A, please visit http://www.rollacity.org/Forms/fact%20sheet_Layout%201.pdf or call the City’s Parks and Recreation Department at 341-2386

   For more information regarding polling places, please http://www.rollacity.org/wards/voter.shtml or contact Carol Daniels in the City Clerk’s Office at (573) 426-6942 or at cdaniels@rollacity.org.

Sesquicentennial float brings Rolla’s history to life

   Thanks to the glorious spring-like weather last Saturday, attendance at the 103^rd annual St. Pat’s parade was in the thousands. And it was truly an honor to join City Administrator John Butz, our police and fire chiefs, department heads, and other Rolla city employees on the City’s Sesquicentennial pioneer-themed float that showcased not only Rolla’s 150 year anniversary, but the great since of history and tradition that is part of Rolla’s heritage.

   Not unlike one of the nostalgic living history floats you might see depicting an American slice of life in a Walt Disney parade, the City’s Sesquicentennial float, with its fire-operated forge, cannon, Civil War era musket, and tent, embodied the spirit of Rolla’s pioneer history. And if you happened to miss seeing the Sesquicentennial float, you will have another opportunity to see everything that was showcased on the float, and then some during Rolla’s day-long Sesquicentennial Celebration on Saturday, June 4. Pioneer era crafters, such as a blacksmith, quilters, rope makers, and even corn-husk doll artisans will all be part of the festivities that are being planned that afternoon (12-4 p.m.) in the area in and around the Old Phelps County Courthouse. Showcasing and sharing Rolla’s pioneer heritage, in fact, is one of the main themes that the Rolla Sesquicentennial Planning Committee intended for every aspect of Rolla’s Sesquicentennial anniversary, which is being celebrated throughout 2011.

   While much of the recognition for Rolla’s Sesquicentennial float needs to go to the ancestors and pioneers who helped settle the Rolla and Phelps County area, I would be remiss not to thank Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works; John Petersen, Community Development Director; and George Lewis, Maintenance Manager at The Centre, for setting up and decorating the 28-foot-long float that glided through the crowds on Pine Street during the St. Pat’s Parade. I would also like to thank Anne McClay, Project Coordinator in the Engineering Division, for her work in designing all the banners for the float, and Lawrence Light, Equipment Operator in the Street Department, for driving the dump-truck that pulled the float and showcased the City’s new red, white and blue flag that now flies in the City’s downtown festival lot. The banners that were so effectively used for the parade float, will also now be displayed throughout the downtown area to promote Rolla’s Sesquicentennial Celebration on June 4, and Public Works Celebration Day, which will be held on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the downtown bandshell. One side of the parade float showed a banner promoting the Rolla Sesquicentennial Celebration and another side of the float showed a banner promoting Public Works Celebration Day – not a bad way to start off the spring and summer seasons in Rolla, Missouri!

   When you think of Spring, you can’t help to also think of the many good things that come with warmer weather, trees and flowers blooming, birds migrating, and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors enjoying the many recreational activities made possible by our City’s park system, 12-mile-long pedestrian/bike trails and 1.3 million acres of forests we are so fortunate to have in our community. Spring also means there will be a City-wide Clean Up that is held annually the first Saturday in April. The City’s Environmental Services Department will coordinate the Clean Up on Saturday, April 2. If you wish to participate, we ask that you please place all items near the curb by 6 a.m. Common acceptable items include furniture, beds, toys, microwaves, and televisions, boxed or bagged trash. Unacceptable items include major appliances, construction or demolition debris, and loose trash. Loose items should be placed in boxes or bags and small pieces of lumber should be bundled. We ask that you do not place your roll-out container to the curb, because during this special clean-up it will not be emptied. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Services Department at 364-6693.

   Looking towards the month of April, I would also like to remind everyone to exercise your democratic right to vote during the Rolla Municipal General Election on Tuesday, April 5. The election will include Proposition A – the proposed ½ Cent Park Sales Tax that is endorsed by the Rolla City Council, which recently approved a resolution in support of the Rolla Park Sales Tax proposal. The resolution states that in December 2010 a citizen survey was conducted demonstrating 70% of those surveyed support extending the ½ cent Parks Sales tax in order to fund park system improvements, provide a seniors’ services facility and to improve public safety. In light of considerable public feedback on the needs and desires of a quality parks and recreation system for the citizens of Rolla, the City Council also approved an ordinance calling for the April 5, 2011 Park Sales Tax election.

   For more information regarding the results of the 2010 Direction Finder Citizen Attitude survey, and the Parks Sales Tax fact sheet, please visit the City’s Website homepage at  www.rollacity.org. Specific questions and results on both the City’s Parks system and the proposed Parks Sales Tax are included in the survey. Hard copies of both the Parks Sales Tax fact sheet and Direction Finder Citizen Attitude survey are available at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.

   With the recent welcomed news that the construction of a new Kohl’s store will be breaking ground soon next to Lowe’s on State Route 63 North in Rolla, the construction of the attractive Missouri S&T new Student Design Center at the corner of 10^th Street and State Route 63, the new Bryant Drive Extension (connecting Kingshighway to Fairgrounds Road), and expansion of the Missouri S&T Innovation Park, 2011 is looking like the City’s Sesquicentennial anniversary couldn’t have occurred at a more progressive, and promising time in our City’s 150 year history.

   Have a safe week! And don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, April 5.