Dan Kessler, Assistant Director of Transportation for North Central Texas Council of Governments presented an interesting talk about MOBILITY 2050, a study showing population growth of 3 million people in the multi county area surrounding Dallas and Fort Worth ion the next quarter century.  He provided some brochures with some interesting - and sobering - graphics.  

 

Emily Dykes talked about the growth and quality of our hometown hospital, all really impressive numbers, and some things we can expect in the near future. There was a time for Q&A afterwards. Kasey Cheshire came and helped with her media and slide presentation.  Very interesting program.

 

We had a very interesting and engaging presentation about Artificial Intelligence on January 20th, presented by Rodney Johnson (the younger). Rodney gave an overview of the present state of A.I., and talked about some of the apps available to use for putting A.I. to work.

 

Five couples made it to VIP Seating at The Old Gymnasium on Sunday evening, December 14th, to see a minor league professional basketball game up close and personal . We also had food, the kind you get at a simple sporting event. I think everyone thought they should at least add hot dogs. The picture above doesn't show John and Donna Piper, who had to be accommodated on the floor, but left to right are Tony & Jane Watson, Dave & Mary Wyrtzen, Debbie & Don Ellis, and Cammy & Alan Jackson.

 

We moved our meeting to our traditional venue of the Midlothian Civic Center on December 2nd to accommodate a demonstration of the MPD's K-9 unit. Officers Jacob Rittimann and Ryan Mills talked about the different bloodlines for the breeds of dogs used in police work. The dogs used here in Midlothian are primarily for sniffing out illicit drugs. After about 20 minutes of talking about the work done in this department, we moved outside to see a demonstration. You can see one of the officers in his "Michelin Man" suit, being attacked on his arm by the dog controlled by the other officer. This is an interesting demonstration.

 

Steve Symonds told about the founding and then the growth of this business, starting with his grandfather's favor to a neighbor.  Some of the flags and poles he produces are profoundly huge. Some of the tallest poles can cost north of a million dollars to produce and install. He warrants his poles to 100 mph winds with a flag attached.