When you hear Mark Dufresne for the first time, you are tempted to assume that his harmonica is his power. However, his real "mojo", or the magic that sets him a part from other musicians, is his voice, which has been described as vibrant and soulful. Born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1953, Dufresne began playing harmonica in his early 20s. In 1979, he relocated to Seattle where he rubbed shoulders and swapped riffs with Paul Delay, Kim Wilson, Rick Estrin & Kim Field. He has backed such artists as Lazy Lester & Chick Willis and opened shows for countless blues headliners.
Mark DuFresne is one of the most sought after Blues talents in the Northwest. The Washington Blues Society has awarded him for best vocalist, songwriter and harmonica more than any other artist. He has been awarded ‘Best Male Vocalist’ on four occasions by the Washington Blues Society. He has also won the ‘Best Songwriter’ and ‘Best Harmonica’ on several occasions.
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| Mark Defresne |
That is why the Rotary Club of Des Moines is thrilled to announce that Dufresne and his band will be bringing that special "mojo" to the Poverty Bay Blues & Brews on August 25th. Dufresne is the headliner and will be performing on stage at 6:30 pm.
Three other local blues bands will be featured as well:
Junkyard Jane -12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
All Stars No Stripes - 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Stacy Jones Band - 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
For more information about the Poverty Bay Blues & Brews and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.dmrotary.org/events.php. This is definitely an event you will not want to miss.
When you hear Mark for the first time your tempted to assume that his harmonica
is his power. His real Mojo, the magic that sustains and sets him apart from the
others is his voice.
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Toni Overmyer presents trophy to
President Catherine Carbone-Rogers |
The Rotary Club of Des Moines float entered a float into the 2012 Waterland Parade and was nominated "Best Float" by the Waterland judging panel. The float entry was also recognized as the Grand Mashal float. On July 25th, during a Rotary meeting, Toni Overmyer, the Chair of the Waterland Parade, presented the club with a plaque and a trophy and publicly thanked the club for its ongoing contribution to the city of Des Moines.
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Mt. Rainier H.S. Jazz Band
performing during parade |
For more information about the Rotary Club of Des Moines, please visit www.dmrotary.org . Photos courtesy of Lisa Meinecke.
The Rotary Club of Des Moines participated in the 2012 Waterland Parade! Special thanks to Rotarians, Vince Koester, of Koester Landscaping, and Bj Bjorneby, of Bjorneby's CARSTAR Des Moines, who put countless hours in the creation of the Rotary Float.
It was a huge success, tons of fun and a great way to showcase our club. The Mt Rainier High School Jazz Band literally rocked the streets! Photos the event can be found below:
For information about the Rotary Club of Des Moines, please visit www.dmrotary.org. Photos courtesy of Lisa Meinecke.
Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Major Sponsor, Powell Homes/Renovation/Care & Repair , will be holding a Customer Appreciation Day from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. this Thursday, July 19 at South Marina Park.
“In appreciation of the people who have made
Powell the respected company it is today – YOU!” reads an announcement. “
We’ll have pizza, courtesy of Roving Pizza, a balloon creator,
lots of fun carnival games, a live musical performance by Raucous Band,
free t-shirts, “Dunk Brooks” in the dunk tank, and an iPod give-a-way!”
Everyone of all ages is invited to join us for
the celebration of the summer!
Please RSVP to alexpearl@powell-homes.com.
South Marina Park is located at
S. 227th Street and Dock Avenue
South in Des Mones.
You won't have to look very far in the city of Des Moines to find the Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Posters! We hope you will join us on the 25th of August!
For more information about the event, please visit www.dmrotary.org.
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| Catherine's presidency is launched! |
On Friday, June 22nd, the Rotary Club of Des Moines (RCDM) installed its 55th president, in a way that the club is best known for- with fun and frivolity! First, members of the Rotary Club's "Girls Hockey Team" (Janel Stoneback, Eleanor Bishop, Leslie Snure and Lisa Meinecke) dethroned Canadian born President Mark Rusnak by shooing him off stage via hockey sticks. Upon which newly elected President Catherine Carbone-Rogers was gently placed in a boat in the pool of a fellow Rotarian with a crown on her head only to be entertained in a manner befitting of a queen by the RCDM Synchonized Male Swimmers. The swimmers (Brian Snure, Steve Swank, Glenn Bishop, Dick Krattli and Jim Polhamus) executed a number of musical performances and then assisted Catherine to the stage, where she was royally roasted by Master of Ceremonies, Dan Johnson. The night's festivities continued with the live musical talent of Uncle Ernie. It was an evening enjoyed by all.
Catherine is the Director of Communication and Community Relations for the Highline Public Schools and has been a member of the RCDM since October of 2005. Club members look forward to a great year of service projects and fundraisers - starting with the 3rd Annual Poverty Bay Blues & Brews, which benefits  projects such as Highline Music4Life, then moving forward with projects such as providing dictionaries to 3rd grade students, the Des Moines Food Bank Backpack program and the Bio-sand H20 project.
The club meets each Wednesday at 12:00 pm at the Landmark on the Sound in  Des Moines. For more information about the club, please visit our website at www.dmrotary.org.
Photos courtesy of Lisa Meinecke.
 On Saturday, June 16th, a small but mighty group from the Rotary Club of Des Moines gathered to do yard work at the home of a local Des Moines senior citizen. Three other deserving local homeowners' yards were completed by local churches and organizations, as well. The Rotomow is a yearly event, which is coordinated by Steve Swank, the Community Service Chair from the Rotary Club of Des Moines. It is an event that the club looks forward to every year because it is such a hands on project. For more information about the Rotomow or to get involved, please contact sfsaustin@comcast.net . Photos from the event are featured below:
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| Before the RotoMow |
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| Community Service Chair, Steve Swank |
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Ric Jacobson, Dave Markwell and Mark Rusnak
take a well deserved break |
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| Dr. Michael Brown (Left) |
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| Dan Johson |
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In coming Rotary President,
Catherine Carbone-Rogers |
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| City Manger and Rotarian, Tony Piasecki |
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| Steve Swank |
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| Tony Piasecki |
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| Dan Johnson and Rotary President, Mark Rusnak |
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| Dave Markwell |
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| Catherine Carbone-Rogers |
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| Dick Krattli |
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| Project complete! |
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| A job well done! |
Photos courtesy of Lisa Meinecke.
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