Vince Hernandez has come home to Texas -- and to "TEXAS." The executive director of the acclaimed musical -- which runs annually at the Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon -- is planning some changes in the years ahead as he begins his second year at the helm. The theater will be upgraded to make it more compliant with Americans With Disabilities Act rules and regs; there will be some script changes as the play tweaks itself; and Vince wants to bring in 5,000 more attendees next year than this year's total. The 2011 season is set for June 4 through Aug. 20. As for the 2010 season, the musical's attendance was up a bit, reaching a seven-year high, Vince said. The play welcomed 60,926 visitors this past summer, he said. Vince is an Amarillo-area native, and is no stranger to the musical. He performed in it as a young student, while attending West Texas A&M University. So, welcome home Vince. And thanks for a great program.

The Rotary International Foundation got a nice boost this past Friday night with a Foundation dinner at the Amarillo Club's Sunburst Room. The emcee for the evening was Beth Duke, a noted member of Amarillo West and a Foundation alumna, having been introduced to Rotary through her Group Study Exchange experience in Belgium in the late 1980s. Past District Governor Don Shinn was there, along with current Governor Cesar Caro and Governor-elect David Norris and his wife, Candy. The keynote speaker was Don Mebus, a Dallas-area Rotarian (who loves the Panhandle so much he bought property in Hall County). Don is a past RI director and a passionate believer in the good work that the Foundation does around the world. The Foundation's signature project, of course, remains polio eradication and Don told us we're getting close to reaching the goal. The Gates Foundation, one of the world's pre-eminent philanthropic organizations, laid $200 million on the table if Rotarians can match it; so far, Rotarians around the world have raised $152 million, Don said. So, our good work continues. Thanks, Don, for coming our way.

Governor Caro gave a pitch for the Paul Harris Society, which was begun in the 2006-07 Rotary year under the leadership of Past District Governor Roger Sepulveda. Give some thought to becoming a Society member and helping the Foundation continue its worldwide mission of achieving peace and understanding among people, as well as wiping polio off the face of the planet. You can become a member by committing $1,000 to the Foundation. Thanks, Governor.

Christmas time is coming, and the Rotary Club will celebrate in its customary fun-filled manner. Come join us at our Christmas Party, Thursday, Dec. 9, beginning at 6 p.m., on the 31st floor of the Chase Tower in downtown Amarillo. Please let Gina Rodriguez know if you plan to attend. And a reminder: There will be no noon meeting that day.

While we're on the subject this week of the Foundation, the drawing pot is getting some serious money. It's more than $900. If your ticket is drawn and you draw the Ace of Spades from the diminishing deck of cards, then you get half of what's in the pot. The rest goes toward the Foundation and funds its worthy projects around the world.

If you see a Rotarian who's been missing from our weekly meetings, give them a call, tell them you miss them. A little outreach can go a long way.

A meeting cancellation policy reminder is in order, given the sudden snowstorm that blew in the other day. Our cancellation policy is simple: If there's no school in Amarillo on our meeting day, there will be no meeting.

And thanks go to Doyle Moore and Pam Rushing for leading us in song; to Bill Archinal for leading us in prayer; to Don Mullins for introducing guests and visiting Rotarians; to Dale Bippus for greeting us; to Tom Higley for selling Foundation drawing tickets; to Val Fulkerson for organizing our programs for the month; and to Club President Jake Richards. Good job, y'all.