THIS WEEK’S MEETING.  This week’s speaker is Barbara Donnellan, Arlington County Manager.  Barbara will talk about the State of the County.  Join us for an  overview of the economic and development status of Arlington County from the standpoint of the county manager.  The talk will not only include a discussion of key issues but also answer questions from club members.   Come find out how the county is doing fiscally and developmentally and what we can expect for calendar year 2012.

 ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROGRAM BEING CONSIDERED FOR ARLINGTON ROTARY CLUB.  The ARC board is considering an opportunity to participate in the state's Adopt-A-Highway program.  Board members Steve Klemp and Linda Valentino have proposed we adopt a 1.2-mile length of Glebe Road which has recently become available for adoption. This stretch of road is approximately between Old Dominion Drive and Lee Highway. The program includes the adopting organization's name being posted on a sign.  Since this is a busy artery in the heart of Arlington, it would be a great boost for our public image, at no financial cost.  In return for the free publicity, the club would have the responsibility of providing volunteers to remove trash and debris from the roadway “at least (four) times or more a year.”   VDOT will provide the bags and vest for clean-up and remove bags from the roadway once we have completed the pick-up.  This is as an opportunity for another club community service activity in which nearly all of us can be involved.  Secondarily, it should also provide an opportunity for us to involve other groups with which we want to forge ties:  local high school students or Marymount University students for example.  Members should let a board member know their opinion on this opportunity as the proposed project will be a commitment by our club if we apply and are accepted.

SAVE THE DATE - DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE - 29 MAR-1 APR.  Rotary District 7610 will hold its annual conference at the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville from Thursday, 29 Mar to Sunday, 1 Apr.  In addition to great speakers, special meals, and the fellowship of other District Rotarians, there will be a House of Friendship, golf tournament, sock hop dance, a private tour of Monticello, trips to historic sites, and visits to wineries and micro-breweries.  Registration opens on 3 Jan.  For more information:  www.rotary7610.org

THREE IMPORTANT ROTARY WEBSITES.  There are three websites that have useful information for Rotarians.  For ARC, these are:
     Rotary International     www.rotary.org
     District 7610                     www.rotary7610.org
You may have visited these before but for the first two, you’ll need your Rotary ID number to access the “members only” parts of the site.  If you don't know your number, ask a club officer to look it up or check your copy of The Rotarian magazine that comes in the mail; this same number always appears on the address label of the magazine right after your name.  The District 7610 site is also the easiest way to access the District and Club database which holds key data for members and club officers.