PP SAL AL-ASHKAR is the Program Host for the Dec. 4 meeting, and he will introduce Barbara Snell, from the Access Community Health Center. There is much concern these days about the availability and cost of medical care, particularly for the uninsured, and we’ll probably hear about something that’s being done about it.

Before the last meeting, the TT was wearing the PITB Award he got from PP LINDA BERGREN at Awards Night. Nice to find someone who appreciates being rightfully rewarded for his efforts. Pres. DON opened the meeting, LINDA BERGREN led the song, and PHIL INGWELL gave the invocation. There was one guest - SUE SABIN brought DON FENNO. We hope he’ll come again.

SCOTT GROVER made another appeal for more help with our concession stand at the Kohl Center. It is now one of our larger sources of service income, and we need more Madison Central Lions to both properly staff the stand and gain a bigger share of the proceeds for our Club. Other clubs help out, and the income is distributed to the clubs in proportion to the shifts worked by club members. If you can help out, check our web site or see SCOTT. [Post Script: You were asked, and you volunteered! A number of MCLC Lions and friends stepped up and volunteered! Thank you! There are only a few more spots left for the rest of the season. Will you take a spot? See the Volunteer Schedule.]

LINDA BERGREN announced that the Holiday Treat Sale still has various types of packaged nuts available for sale. Most of the chocolate stuff has sold out. She’d like to move everything out quickly, so if you can use or sell anything from the list contact her for availability. Here again, the Club service projects benefit.

SAL AL ASHKAR reported on a Diabetes Awareness display that our club staged at a recent meeting. He thanked Lion LOUISE FRITZ for her major part in the effort.

Our Holiday Music Program will be on Dec. 18. A good meeting to bring a spouse, significant other, guest, or prospective member. (Remember that the Club buys lunch for a prospect. Twice, if necessary.)

Trivia Question - What Madison Central Lion was pictured on the front cover of the Wisconsin Lion Magazine issue for December, 1993? Presumably the TailTwister will fine the individual, if we can identify him/her.

Program Chairman SAL AL-ASHKAR introduced our speaker, Bill DiCarlo of the Alliant Energy Center, which has come a long way from when it was the Dane County Fairgrounds. Mr. DiCarlo started as a CPA and had executive experience at the Nassau Coliseum in NY and the Oakland Coliseum in CA, and now runs a 164 acre facility with a 250,000 sq. ft. Exhibition Hall and a 10,000 seat Coliseum. Alliant Energy has committed to a total of $6.3 million over 20 years for the naming rights. Annual usage of the various buildings is 39% consumer shows, 21% concerts, 24% conventions and trade shows, 12% sports and 4% meetings and banquets. Truly something for everyone, and it seems that most of us must go there for something every year, not to mention the people that come here from all over the world, literally. The estimated impact on Dane County is $8 million yearly. 900,000+ visitors, 75,000 hotel room rentals, $2.1 million in room taxes and $87 million in direct expenditures.

They have concerts like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, events like the Midwest Horse Fair (which uses some of the 9 barns they have available, the World Dairy Expo, the Bratfest on Willow Island, and the 100,000 sq. ft. Exhibition Hall, which can be set up in all kinds of ways, so that separate activities can take place at the same time. Everything from Service Club Luncheons to model railroad shows to auto shows. The Clarion Suites hotel, which is directly connected to the Exhibition Center by a covered walkway, fulfilled an important need - they just wish it could be bigger. You can see their schedule at www.alliantenergycenter.com.

Unrelated, but interesting. The Overture Center has Community Hymn Sings scheduled on one Saturday morning each month for the next 5 months. They are FREE, held in Overture Hall, and Sam Hutchison plays the Overture Organ, there are featured performers for some numbers, and the audience sings the rest. A great opportunity to hear and sing familiar music and see Overture Hall, all for free. Dec. 22, Jan. 26 2008, Feb. 16, March 29 and April 26. All start at 11 AM.

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