Rapid City Chamber Of Commerce

'Chicken Soup' author fires up crowd at Day of Excellence

With two parts inspirational speaker, one part comedian and a dash of country music, a contributing author to the popular "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series fired up more than 1,100 people at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center theater on Wednesday.

Dan Clark, known for his books and international speaking engagements, brought a raucous positive message of stretching to strengthen personal and professional lives. The session capped off the Day of Excellence program aimed at Black Hills businessmen and businesswomen.

"What's the difference between great bankers, parents, friends and lousy ones?" Clark asked. "It's passion, creativity and imagination. Those are the people paying any price and traveling any distance to surround themselves with great people."

In a "minimum requirement, mediocre society" world, those with character and conviction are the ones rising to the top to make a difference, Clark said.

"We become the average of the five people we associate with most," Clark said, emphasizing that pressure to change only creates tension, but changes from within create power.

Sprinkling in snippets of humor, Clark told stories of surviving a plane crash, speaking to NFL football teams and the emotional days after losing his father. Clark's speaking career began after battling back from a paralyzing football injury.

Now in its second year, the Day of Excellence returned more organized and prepared for the large crowd with its goal of "fostering personal and professional growth."

It originated from the 2009 Leadership Rapid City class. The classes are groups of community members in 12-week programs organized by the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce. Each class chooses a project to benefit the community.

"We're about helping people realize the potential to become better than they already were, and improving the community," said Mike Oster, a member of the class and president of the Day of Excellence Board.

Proceeds from the $77.50 tickets pay for the costs for the event, and then additional proceeds are divvied up among 12 area nonprofit agencies that each receives a $4,000 grant, Oster said.

The day also included presentations from Donna Hanks, an instructor at Western Dakota Technical Institute; Terry Fleck, a speaker from North Dakota; and Jim Wand, a hypnotist.

"It really makes you think that attitude is your choice," said Connie Olson from Youth & Family Services. "I don't know how you can't let it impact every part of your life. It was a great event.

Rapid City to Host USTA National Junior Tennis Tournament | Knack News

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has chosen Rapid City, S.D. to host its Segment III National Championship Tournament. The tournament will be held on September 2, 3 and 4, 2011. The Labor Day weekend tournament will give boys in the USTA junior division the opportunity to earn national ranking points to advance to higher levels of competition. Players will be separated into four age divisions including 12 & under, 14 & under, 16 & under and 18 & under. Each division will feature singles and doubles play.

“This tournament will give local tennis players the opportunity to see high level junior tennis players compete,” says Liz Hamburg, USTA Northern Section Junior Tennis Council Chair and Rapid City resident. “I hope that it will raise the visibility of tennis within Rapid City and encourage youth to participate in the game.”

The tournament will be the highest level of USTA competition to take place in South Dakota and will be the largest national tennis competition that has been held in Rapid City. The top 32 players in each age division, according to USTA point standings, will be accepted into the tournament allowing for a maximum of 128 players. The tournament will be played at Sioux Park Tennis Courts and the Parkview Tennis Complex, which was constructed with the support of a $25,000 USTA grant in 2009.

“Hosting this tournament will give 128 players and their families the opportunity to explore Rapid City,” says Domico Rodriguez, Sports and Events Sales Director at the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The tournament will have a substantial economic impact on Rapid City and open the door to the opportunity to bid for the girls national tournament in the future.”

The Rapid City CVB is a division of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce. The CVB’s mission is to market the Rapid City area as a convention and leisure destination and to promote economic growth that will enhance the area for visitors and residents.

Rapid City, in the Black Hills of South Dakota

LIFE

Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series, 1972: July-December

Fodor's Montana & Wyoming, With the South Dakota Black Hills

The WPA Guide to South Dakota, The Federal Writers' Project Guide to 1930s South Dakota