The Rotary Club of Houston seeks up to 20 volunteers among Club members and their spouse/guest for The 13th Annual Rotary-Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Hearts for Children Festival.  The Adoption Fair introduces children in the state foster care system availalbe for adoption with prosdpective parent(s) who have already completed the process to become an adoptive parent in a fun -filled and relaxed atmosophre.  The Fair will include acitivity and game booths, a DJ, Photo Booth, Charicuture Artisit, Toro the Texans Mascot and lunch.  Rotarians spend time playing games with the children starting at 9:00 AM and help prepare them to interact with prospective parent(s) who begin arriving after 10:00 AM.  

Over the past 12 years over 60 children have been adopted as a resiult of the first meeting at the Festival.

All volunteers must  be at least 18 years of age.

Come out and join us for fellowship and fun!

Inga Hebdon (346-515-9742) and Nick Hosn (817-907-0802) will be co-hosting.

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

Jay S. Zeidman is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Altitude Ventures, a healthcare investment firm. Before starting AV, Mr. Zeidman was the Director of Business Development for U.S. Capital Advisors and served as an aide to President George W. Bush at the White House. Mr. Zeidman serves as Chairman of the Board for Houston First Corporation in addition to serving on the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, UT Health Science Center of Houston, and the Emancipation Park Conservancy. Mr. Zeidman was named to the Houston Business Journal’s “40 under 40” class in 2014. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from TCU, where he also served as Student Body President, and his M.B.A. from the Jesse Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University.

Orchids in Houston and Texas? Wildflowers?
Unravel the mystery 

Joe Liggio

From a rare native orchid in Memorial Park and other native Texas Wild Flowers, join Joe Liggio, a Texas botanist and environmental scientist, nature photographer, and writer as he shares his insights and photos.

He and his wife Ann wrote Wild Orchids of Texas published in 1999 by the University of Texas Press. His photos and writing have been published in various magazines, including Texas Highways, Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, Science, Orchids (The bulletin e of American Orchid Society), Earth Magazine, Texas Mushrooms, and the Illustrated Flora of East Texas.

Join Virtually ---> February 27, 2025

SAVE THE DATE

MAR 6, 2025 - MEXICO - U.S. RELATIONS UNDER TRUMP 2.0
MAR 13, 2025 - Downtown Houston+ with Pres/CEO Kris Larson
MAR 20, 2025 - Pickering Energy Partners

Come out and join in the Pickleball craze @ Pickle Lab at the ION!

No experience required.  

$10 per person to pay for court reservation(s).

Outside food and drinks are allowed, but alcoholic beverages and glass containers are prohibited.

For parking info:  https://iondistrict.com/visit/getting-here/

Call Connor for questions:  941-920-1858

Discussion Topics:

• Immigration Issues
• Fentanyl
• Trade
• Diplomatic-Political Relations

​

Tony Payan
Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies
Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico

Biography

Tony Payan, Ph.D., is the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and the executive director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. He is also a professor of social sciences at the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, where he directed the Social Science Doctorate Program from 2009 to 2012. From 2001 to 2015, Payan was a professor of political science at The University of Texas at El Paso.

Payan’s research focuses on border studies, particularly the U.S.-Mexico border. He examines daily life in liminal spaces, cross-border flows—both legal and illegal—and border governance issues. He also explores various topics affecting the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

He has authored, co-authored, or edited nearly 20 volumes on his research, in addition to numerous book chapters, monographs, white papers, issue briefs, and journal articles. Payan has served on several boards, including the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, the Cross-border Relations Committee in El Paso, Texas, and the Plan Estratégico de Juárez in Ciudad Juárez. He is a member of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Immigration Advisory Committee and previously served on its Mexico Energy Task Force. He was president of the Association of Borderlands Studies from 2009 to 2010 and has been involved with multiple journal editorial boards.

Payan earned a B.A. in philosophy and classical languages and an MBA from the University of Dallas. He received a doctorate in international relations from Georgetown University in 2001.

Charles Foster
Chairman of Foster LLP

Biography

Charles C. Foster is the Chairman of Foster LLP and is based in the Houston office. Recognized as a Best Lawyer in America, Chambers USA Senior Statespeople, Who’s Who Legal: Corporate Immigration Thought Leader, Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employer Lawyer – Immigration, and Top 100 attorney in Houston, his practice focuses primarily on representing multinational companies and foreign investors regarding U.S. immigration law.

Charles received both his J.D. and undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He lectures frequently before legal, academic, and professional organizations in Texas, throughout the United States and abroad and has published numerous articles on U.S. immigration law.

Charles has dedicated much of his career to the improvement of his community. He served as senior immigration policy advisor to President George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 Presidential campaigns and as an immigration policy advisor to Barack Obama in the 2008 campaign. He has testified before both U.S. Senate and House subcommittees on immigration matters. He is the founding Chairman of the Immigration & Nationality Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and has previously served as Chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Immigration, the Greater Houston Partnership’s Economic Development Advisory Committee and World Trade Division, the American Bar Association’s Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law, and the State Bar of Texas Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality and is past National President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Houston Forum and the Houston Club and Board member of Ripley / Baker.

Dust off your boots, Put on your hat, and join us for Rotary Night at the Rodeo. Tuesday, 11th March. Get Your Tickets Today...Limit 125 Seats Available CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

WATCH all the fun to be had with BBQ Dinner pre-show and Rodeo Seats with your fellow Rotarians in Section 522.

Have more questions about the event, please contact Event Coordinator, Genevieve Rowland at genevieve@rowland-properties.com

KRISTOPHER LARSON, AICP, LPM

President and CEO

Downtown Houston+

Kristopher Larson is President and CEO of Downtown Houston+ (DTH+) – the non-profit group responsible for providing the thought leadership, long-term planning and implementation of the redevelopment and revitalization of Downtown Houston for nearly 40 years – and its affiliate organizations, the Houston Downtown Management District (HDMD) and the Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DRA).

The HDMD and DRA are special assessment and tax increment districts, respectively, and combine to form one of the largest place management organizations in North America, collectively raising and investing $50M annually in advancing and improving Downtown Houston.

Touting two decades of leadership experience in cities across the nation, Larson is an award-winning urbanist whose career has been defined through his positive impacts on making cityscapes more vibrant places to live, work and play. His vast experience in urban place management, urban design and economic development gives him a unique voice in describing how the confluence of marketplace dynamics, architecture and the public realm can translate into defining placemaking experiences.

Prior to joining DTH+, Larson held positions on both the public and private sides of community leadership across the country, serving as President & CEO for three comparable organizations in Los Angeles, CA, Raleigh, NC, and Grand Rapids, MI, where he led both business improvement and tax increment finance districts.

He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Downtown Association (IDA) – where has been the recipient of four Pinnacle Awards in the categories of Leadership, Planning, Advocacy and Marketing – and is a certified Leader in Place Management (LPM) and member of American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Larson was twice honored with the coveted “Top 40 Under 40” in Long Beach, CA and Grand Rapids, MI, and was named as one of 2023’s Top 100 Texas leaders by the Houston Business Journal.  He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from North Carolina State University and was a Daniel Rose Fellow through the Rose Center for Public Leadership, a collaboration between the Urban Land Institute and the National League of Cities. Larson lives on Allen Parkway, adjacent to the Buffalo Bayou, where he enjoys long runs along the Bayou’s world class trails.

Come out for fellowship and fun!

We are pivoting on dates this month because Rotary Night at the Rodeo is March 11th (second Tuesday).

Hope you can join us!

Call or text Karen with any question at 713-858-6115.

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

Angela Blanchard
Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer
City of Houston

Angela is known locally, nationally and internationally as a well-respected thought leader, expert practitioner, educator and speaker.  She currently serves as the Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer for the City of Houston as part of Mayor Whitmire’s executive leadership team. 

Blanchard’s proven track record for revitalizing neighborhoods and leveraging diversity stems from her unique approach: building on strengths rather than focusing on deficits; empowering people to maximize their skills and talents; and operating a nonprofit with the efficiency and innovation of a major corporation. Her highly successful framework for community development, Appreciative Community Building, has been a catalyst for neighborhood investment and transformation. She works with leaders in cities around the world as they address complex challenges in communities undergoing upheaval.

Blanchard’s breakthrough achievements in community development and disaster have received numerous accolades: elite awards from top institutions, three invitations to the Obama White House, and extensive press coverage including the New York Times, Places Journal, Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Washington Post, Yahoo News, NPR, Fast Company, The Houston Chronicle, and BBC among many others.

Angela Blanchard is a visionary leader for evolutionary change. For more than 30 years, she was the driving force behind a highly acclaimed nonprofit organization that has impacted and transformed neighborhoods across the Greater Houston. BakerRipley a leader in the community development sector brings resources, education and connection to more than half a million hardworking residents to keep the region a place of welcome and opportunity.

Please join us as we learn more about the City’s plans for our community resilience and response natural, human-made, and weather disasters. 

A Couple of volunters are needed to join us at Interfaith Ministries for a service project for our Interact Club students that attend the Houston Academy for International Studies.  The students will take the bus from HAIS to IM when school ends at 3:30 and will arrive by 3:45.  Their parents will pick them up at 5:00 PM.  A special educational workshop and project is planned for this time.  

At this hour the entry gate will be at 1111 Stuart Street which is between Fannin and San Jacinto.  Volunteers can drive up toward the building and park there.  

On Thursday, April 3rd the Rotary Club of Houston lunch speaker at Tony's Restaurant, 3755 Richmond Rd is Kevin Lilly who leads the TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission). Since 1935 their charter has included keeping organized crime out of Texas. I’m sure our speaker will tell us about a recent event in Houston that might be surprising. Interesting  activities are happening here. What about organized human trafficking? 

Kevin J. Lilly

Kevin J. Lilly has served as Chairman of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission since 2017. He was a Founding Partner of Avalon Advisors, the largest privately owned wealth management firm in Texas. In 2023, Avalon merged with CI Financial, the nation’s largest independent wealth advisory firm, now known as Corient. Mr. Lilly currently serves as Vice Chairman of Corient.

Prior to founding Avalon in 2001, Lilly spent 11 years in the investment banking industry, beginning his career in the Sales and Trading division of Goldman Sachs. Lilly worked for Goldman Sachs both

in New York and Houston.

Lilly was commissioned as a Lieutenant (Cavalry) in the U.S. Army via ROTC at The University of Texas at Austin. He served as a tank platoon leader and tank battalion staff officer and had one overseas deployment. Lilly left federal service as a Captain. He was appointed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2009 to serve as a Regent of the Texas State University System, serving on the Finance and Audit Committee, as well as serving as Chairman of the Texas State University System Foundation Board until 2015. Lilly has published articles on project finance and military tactics.

In addition, Lilly has served as a board member and trustee for several organizations, including the Houston Symphony, Houston Museum of Natural Science, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Houston Methodist Hospital Academic Institute, and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston. He currently serves as a Colonel in the Texas State Guard and commanded the 8th Regiment during Hurricane Harvey. Lilly currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Southwestern University in Georgetown. He has a bachelor's degree, BBA, from the University of Texas’ McCombs School and a master's degree, MBA, from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. He resides in Houston and is married with three children.

Lilly’s term as Chairman is set to expire on Nov. 15, 2027

Come on out for fellowship and fun!

Call/Text Karen with any questions at 713-858-6115.

Since 1986, the Rotary Club of Houston has proudly sponsored Camp Enterprise, an immersive business training experience for 80 Greater Houston high school juniors.

Every year, 80 students are provided with all-expenses-paid transportation to the beautiful Camp Allen in Navasota, TX, along with accommodation, meals, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will never forget! Additionally, thousands of dollars in college scholarships are awarded each year.

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

Mike Miles was appointed Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District on June 1, 2023 and left his position as the CEO of Third Future Schools, a network of high-quality public schools in Colorado and Texas that he founded in 2016.

Prior to his latest work, Mike served three years as the Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District and six years as the Superintendent of the Harrison School District in Colorado Springs. Under his leadership, both districts implemented ground-breaking initiatives, established a high-performance culture, and experienced significant growth in student achievement.

Mike has also served the public interest as a soldier and statesman. He served as a Company Commander and in the Army’s elite Ranger Battalion. Mike later served in the U.S. State Department as a Soviet analyst and member of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He then served as a Diplomat to Poland and Russia at the end of the Cold War.

Mike holds degrees from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the University of California at Berkeley, and Columbia University.

Join the Rotary Club of Houston for our Annual tradition of assembling 50 Easter Baskets for the Salvation Army Woman and Family Residence.  

The Club provides the Baskets, grass and cellophane bags.  

All Club members participating in the Event are asked to bring 50 of one or more of the items liseted below to put in the baskets.  

• Plastic Eggs
• Candy
• Little stickers or coloring booklets
• stickers
• fun pencils or pens
• small size toys or keychain games
• small size bubbles

Join Rotarians and their guests from across District 5890 on the Party Deck at Daiken Park for Rotary Night at the Ballpark.  Watch the Houston Astros take on the Detroit Tigers in style.  

$65 per person ticket cost will include a $20 Food Credit.  

Registration details to come

History has a new home, Battleship Texas coming to Galveston

Presented by Tony Gregory, President, Battleship Texas Foundation

Immediate past Ambassador to Iceland

Chair, Houston Metro 2016-2022

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

William M. Taggart IV has spent over 35 years working on major projects in deepwater oil/gas, shale oil, copper mining, and refineries. He is recognized as a subject matter expert on the systems that control industrial applications and protect the personnel, equipment, and the environment from those industrial processes.    He took those skills and wrote “Fixing America: An Engineer’s Solution to our Social, Cultural, and Political Problems”. A book that Kirkus Reviews called “A timely, level-headed analysis of America’s most polarizing political issues.” This book takes America’s problems and analyzes them with a nonpartisan, factual, data-driven approach to reach simple solutions that can be implemented. The book invites a discussion of the issues that America is grappling with.  

Details to come...

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed.