Kiwanian and auctioneer Ray DeSloover added the mayor's parking spot to the club's annual charity auction. A winning bid would have won 30 days of free parking in the mayor's spot outside City Hall.
Nancy Taggart / Register Photographer

By Bill Robinson
Register News Writer

Mayor Connie Lawson was headed out of town Saturday and was unable to keep the Richmond Kiwanis Club from putting her City Hall parking space up for auction.

The high bid for her reserved space was up to $45 when the mayor learned that her space was in jeopardy. She called City Commissioner Bill Strong with an urgent message to get to the annual charity auction taking place at City Hall and save her parking space.

Strong placed a $100 bid on the space that proved to be enough to keep the mayor from having to park on the street.

"This club just doesn't show much appreciation for the city," said Kiwanian David Harkleroad. "City government gives them free use of City Hall for this auction every year, but they almost always try to pull something. Two years ago the Kiwanians tried to auction off a ladder they found in a city hall closet, and this year they tried to sell the mayor's parking space."

All kidding aside, Adam Poff, who chaired this year's auction, said the club appreciates the city's support of the annual charity auction that raises funds for local youth program.

Items auctioned this year included Dolly Parton memorabilia, which the country star donated to the city after her concert late last year to be sold for charitable causes.

Many local businesses donated merchandise and services to be auctioned.

They included a home security system, a La-Z-Boy chair, a vacuum cleaner and two used cars.

The Kiwanians hoped to raise $10,000 from the auction, Poff said.

"We won't know for a couple of days how much money the auction cleared," he said.

"Thanks to the generosity of everyone who donated or purchased items, I believe we will make or exceed the goal."

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 6702.

February 1-March 3
·Read Around the World­This event celebrates one-on-one reading to children. Your February Kiwanis magazine will include a feature article about how clubs have expanded their Read Around the World programs to ensure an enduring impact on children in their communities. For Read Around the World information, contact Kiwanis International, Branded Programs; phone, 800-875-8755, x211; e-mail, service@kiwanis.org; Web site, http://www.kiwanis.org/ServiceProjects/ReadAroundtheWorld/tabid/284/Default.aspx

March 1-31:
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month­This month educates consumers, patients, and professionals regarding the need for early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. For information, contact Frederic S. Mayer, president, Pharmacists Planning Service Inc., 101 Lucas Valley Road, #210, San Rafael, California 94903; phone, 415-479-8628; e-mail, ppsi@aol.com; Web site, www.ppsinc.org.

Mental Retardation Month­This month, educate the public about the needs of citizens with mental retardation and about ways to prevent retardation. For information, contact The Arc, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 650, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; phone, 301-565-3842; Web site, www.thearc.org.

Music in Our Schools Month­The goal of this observance is to increase public awareness of the importance of music education as part of a balanced curriculum. Additional information and awareness items are available. For information, contact Deidre Healy, manager of Special Programs, Music Educators National Conference, 1806 Robert Fulton Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191; phone, 800-336-3768; Web site, www.menc.org.

(United States) National Craft Month­This month promotes the fun and creativity of hobbies and crafts. For information, contact Hobby Industry Association, National Craft Month, Richartz and Fliss, 400 Morris Avenue, Denville, New Jersey 07834; phone, 973-627-8180; Web site, www.i-craft.com.

(US) National Nutrition Month­This month educates consumers about the importance of good nutrition by providing the latest practical information on how simple it can be to eat healthfully. For information, contact the American Dietetic Association, 216 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, Illinois 60606; phone, 312-899-0040; e-mail, nnm@eatright.org; Web site, www.eatright.org.

Red Cross Month­This month serves to make the public aware of American Red Cross service in the community. There are some 1,300 Red Cross offices in the United States. For information on activities in your area, contact your local Red Cross office. For US information, contact the American Red Cross National Headquarters, Office of Public Inquiry, 1621 N. Kent Street, 11th Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22209; phone, 703-248-4222; e-mail, info@usa.redcross.org; Web site, www.redcross.org.

March 5-11
(US) National Chocolate Chip Cookie Week­Famous Amos cookies was born on March 5, 1975, from Wally Amos Aunt Della's secret recipe. For information, contact Rosica, Mulhern Inc. Strategic Public Relations, 95 Route 17 South, Suite 109, Paramus, New Jersey 07652; phone, 201-843-5600; e-mail, folks@rosica.com.

March 20
Great American Meatout­America's foremost celebration of meatless eating asks consumers to "kick the meat habit, at least for the day" at 2,000 events across the United States. For information, contact the Farm Animal Reform Movement, Box 30654, Bethesda, Maryland 20824; phone, 301-530-1737 or 800-MEATOUT; e-mail, farm@farmusa.org.

Source: The Kiwanis Inciter at: https://www.kiwanisone.org/Pages/Resources/default.aspx?PageID=2

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