Rotary Club of Morro Bay

Bulletin – September 16, 2014

Beautiful, sunny weather, just like a tropical island.

LUNCH

Chicken, slaw salad with coconut (yum), noodles with asparagus and Antonia Birthday Cake.

PRESIDENT NICKS TIE COLOR

President Elect Carol Furtado was not wearing a tie today.

PLEDGE OF ALLIGENCE

Dan Costley led us in the pledge.

INVOCATION

Sarah Ketcham gave the invocation.

SONG

Sid, in honor of Antonia’s birthday, led us in a rousing version of Happy Birthday, too bad no one but Antonia, could sing it in German.

VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS

Gil Inglehart, Rotary Club of Cayucos

Amanda Wirtz,  Rotary Club of San Diego

Faith Mimnaugh, Cal Poly Women’s Basketball Coach and Program

Lisa Gilbert, mother of Hannah Gilbert who plays for Faith, guest of John Weiss

Ferris Zoe of Ferris Zoe Designs business in Morro Bay, guest of Andrea Klipfel.

Annie Dover, Rotary Club of Los Osos

Amy Burden, guest of Annie Dover

Cathy Zotovich, wife of Pete Zotovich, celebrating their 33^rd wedding anniversary and Cathy’s retirement

Antonia Grunert, our exchange student from Germany

Jocelyn Furtado, daughter of Carol.

CLUB BUSINESS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Carol asked Antonia to say a few words and Antonia shared that she is from Germany and is spending a year in California.  She has been in school for 3 weeks and is enjoying it.  She likes the nature that surrounds Morro Bay, especially the beach and ocean.  She also feels like the community is very relaxed and friendly.

John Weiss introduced Amanda Wirtz who shard that she was also a foreign exchange student through the Rotary program in her younger days.  She then shared that she had been diagnosed with a rare disease and that process made her change her thinking from “what do I want to be” to “who do I want to be”.  Amanda also shared that she was a Combat Veteran and was competing in the Ms. Combat Veteran contest in D. C. later in the year and if she won, she would use the proceeds to advocate for homeless women veterans.

HONORARY MEMBER INDUCTION

Don Doubledee and John Weiss, brought up Faith Mimnaugh and she was inducted as an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Morro Bay.  Faith then received her 1^st standing ovation of the day. 

Way too busy to fine today! 

PROGRAM-Faith Mimnaugh, Cal Poly Women’s Basketball Coach

Quick Note – since I (Andrea Lueker) am the one that writes most of the bulletins, today I am going to take editorial privileges with a comment.  I have been a Rotarian for many, many years and there are a few reoccurring programs that are outstanding – of course the Colonel’s Dog Sled program is one of them and Faith Mimnaugh is another.  I have probably heard her speak 6 or 7 times and it is always a joy to see she’s going to be speaking!

John introduced Faith, new honorary member of our club.  Faith began her program by diving on the floor and explaining that she hoped that all her basketball players ended up as Rotarians, as Rotarians are givers.  She then shared that she hoped all the members would be able to come out and support the team all year, but especially for their opening day on November 23^rd versus Portland State, beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Tickets are a bargain at $8 for adults, less for seniors and a season ticket for $35.00.  Faith continued her presentation about what she looks for in a prospective basketball player.

Intensity – are they willing to dive on the floor, Faith shared that while she was only 5 ft., 2 in. tall, she played both college and professional basketball, due in part to her tenacity and intensity.  She also shared that Lisa Gilbert’s daughter Hannah Gilbert also had that intensity.

Givers – do they believe in teamwork and do they “set-up” others to succeed.

Passion – do they have passion for basketball, family and teammates, are they people of character.

Do they “touch the lines” – people that follow through and don’t cut corners.

For the past 4 out of 5 years, the team has had post-season play.  The Big West conference also selects 1 player in the entire league that hustles the most and in the past 12 years, members of Faiths team has won 6 times. 

Faith then led us through a VERY animated reenactment of a game last year against Hawaii where the team was behind by 17 points and ended up winning the game in the last 4 seconds.  Faith shared that the qualities that made a good player are also qualities that make a good Rotarian; be committed to the effort, be consistent, don’t be afraid to try something and fail, be persistent and have faith. 

Faith then received her 2^nd standing ovation of the day!

CLOSING

President Elect Carol thanked all for coming, Jeff Jones won the 50/50, Amanda Wirtz, John Headding and Rick Grantham were drawn for Paul Harris squares and next week’s program is Hunter Francis from the Cal Poly Center for Sustainability.    

Join us for a fun filled Golf Tournament at Sea Pines Golf Course on Saturday, May 10th...  check in at 730am; shot gun start at 815am; best ball format...  Bring a 4'some or come solo and we'll team you up...  everybody will have the privilege of golfing with a MBHS student athlete - its always a fun time!!  Afterwards there will be awards, raffles, and a breakfast buffet...  Entry fee is $55/player; entries are due by Wednesday, May 7th...   Hope to see you there!!!

Not a golfer - feel free to sponsor a MBHS Golfer for $55; a T-shirt sponsor for $100; a Tee sponsor for $250...                                      not into that but have "goodies" to fill the golfer goodie bags with??  We'll take them!!!  Contact Jamie, John or Dan...

Thanks for listening...   contact one of us for an entry / sponsor form!!! (or you can download it from our MB Rotary Clubrunner site!!!)

Jamie B, John W and Dan C

We have a new member – thanks to Rick Grantham having a friend and that friend actually wanting to rejoin our wonderful club, we welcomed Bryan Griffiths to the fold on March 11^th!!  Please make sure to search Bryan out and greet him with open arms!!!

 

Heidi Kimbrall was in attendance and able to present Amy Burton, a representative from Del Mar PTA with a check for $250.  Amy graciously received the check on behalf of the PTA and thanked each and every one of us as the money will greatly help in their efforts to promote their students’ well-being!!!

 

We currently have 2 Paul Harris Fellow Quartets going on:

            Jamie B, Sarah K., Jennifer R, and Mike P

            Gary O, Carol F, Dan C, and Chuck C

a drawing was held and the lucky 2014 PHF winners were Jamie B and Carol F; Ken has asked each of us to select our PHF recipient so that they can be awarded!!!

 

Our program featured the National Estuary Program, especially their program Save the Bay…  the NEP’s focus is to bring citizens, local government, non-profit organizations, agencies and landowners together through collaboration and partnership to protect and restore the Morro Bay Estuary.  It is one of 28 NEPs nationwide and are vitally important to our climate, environment and economy.  It is our duty to protect the estuary for our community, fishing, tourism, and recreational opportunities.  This can be done through restoration and conservation (returning functionality to ecosystems); understanding and monitoring (assessing conditions within the estuary and watershed); and, education, outreach and stewardship (cultivating stewardship) efforts.  They presented a program – Every Drop Counts – and encouraged us all to take the Clean Water Pledge:  conserve water, keep trash in the can, pick up after a pet, and watch your drains – it’s that easy!!!  They finished up their program by announcing the 11 Save the Bay events…  Black Hill Hike, Bay Health and Science presentations, Family Event, Talkin’ Trash with Mike di Milo, Splashes of Light Art Reception, On-water Tour of Estuary and Aquaculture, Bay-friendly Gardening Presentation, DogFest 2014, and Discover Creek Insects Up Close.   Dates and event descriptions can be found on their website:  mbnep.org    

Note from a fan…  Taylor Newton was recognized for his contributions to Morro Bay during the 2010 decade by MB 50th and I wrote the first of several columns about the honorees (“By the Bay” by Judy Salamacha - Tribune - Feb. 17 www.sanluisobispo.com).  It’s been years since I did my first report about this young community advocate.  I have always been impressed that he saw an issue…  kids who had dropped out of school or from life as they didn’t want to live it and terrorizing our downtown shoppers on their skateboards and harassing our MB police or maybe being harassed…  and instead of crying like most of us, Taylor created a solution…   and when it worked he continued to develop opportunities – a win/win for the youth and our community.  His story is hardly finished.  We should all be so motivated and passionate to create solutions to the problems we complain about. 

My favorite quote from the column by Taylor: “Everybody has value. We teach our members that when they pay their dues, they can participate in their community.  We’re not here to change society, but how to get through life by making one’s space livable.  We’re fighting against drug abuse, violence, profiling, and the revolving cycle of imprisonment.”

As he presented to Rotary, I enjoyed table-talk and he said I had heard it all so didn’t need to take notes. Good things I did. I discovered a few more insights when he presented at Rotary:

·         Guerrilla Gardeners (GGC) have 60+ members, ages 15-103 with average age 20-30;

·         GGC logo represents the anarchy vs. order symbolic of the evolution of society;

·         Sobriety is a choice – GGC does not demand a sober lifestyle, accept on the job representing GGC…drink on the job and go home to wait for another day;

·         Gardening/urban forestry is the basic tool to beautify the community and provide purpose to a life that might have gone sideways;

·         Jade Park near the boat ramp, not intended as a city park, but has been GGC beautified;

·         St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, one of many community partners where GGC provides gardening maintenance, is also the site of the nursery where seeds are planted, plants are potted, and public purchases provide growth for community and individuals’ gardens…  yes you can buy plants there…  weekdays…  10-3 or 4pm….look for the onsite forest;

·         Why did Guerrilla Gardening Club start? It was a grass-roots community action that needed to happen;

·         GGC provides zero-waste programs for groups’ events….  ”We have the tools to pick up the trash… We don’t mind getting dirty or working among drunk people and we can handle people looking down on us for picking up trash because we are united and support each other;” (maybe my second favorite insightful Taylor Newton quote!)

·         GGC provides food, shelter and work for members to sustain life;

·         GGC needs food, shelter and work to encourage members to sustain their new lifestyle;

·         GGC is tied into local resources who might have jobs for laborers;

·         Most people have labor shops…  clean-up, pick-up, weed-whacking, whatever - GGC members can help;

·         Dylan Barker, GGC member, is proud of GGC and Taylor Newton is proud and trusting of Dylan Barker;

·         Surprise! Surprise! Taylor can’t say no

·         No surprise! He was smart enough to turn daily business operations over to Jenni Randolf Newton…Call her if you want to schedule GGC for a project.

You can contact GGC at:    http:/www.mbggc.blogspot.com    or www.facebook.com/MorroBayGuerrillaGardeningClub

"Time will always justify a man (woman) who means to do right." Colonel Thomas Baker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craft Talks is always a popular meeting at the Club...  so much so that John Headding brought Gene Tripp, Rick Grantham brought Bryan Griffiths and Dan Costley brought Paul Vincent to share in the day... Enjoy getting to meet Elsie Casida and Kasey Watson...

Elsie was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa.  She moved to Visalia, CA with her 3 teenage kids and opened up a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch only calling it Valhalla Restaurant and Gift Shop.  She, I’m sure with the help of her kids, ran her restaurant for 30 years.  Over that span of time, Elsie made many, many wonderful friends.  One day at the restaurant, she met a guy named Ken, he asked her out and on October 30^th, they went on their first date.  They were married 3 months later.  The Casida’s moved to Morro Bay a year and a half ago.  Elsie sold her restaurant to her daughter; it’s nice to be able to keep it in the family!!  Elsie is also quite the seamstress (which we were able to see firsthand as she made the Santa and Mrs. Claus outfits for the Lighted Boat Parade which were spectacular!!!).  As a fundraiser for her grandson’s scholarship fund, who very sadly lost his life at much too early of an age, Elsie began making aprons with 100% of the proceeds donated to the fund.  When it was all said and done, Elsie had made over 500 aprons meaning that almost $20,000 was contributed to that account. What a special gift she was able to give!!  Elsie wasn’t a huge fan of retirement, she as kinda bored and wanted more.  That was to our club’s advantage as she and Ken visited, became members and are now incredibly active, pitching in for pretty much everything.  I know that the Fish Fry, the Lighted Boat Parade, Evening with Heart, and the Valentine’s Day Social wouldn’t have been as successful without her/their help!!!  To top it off, Elsie has said that she will kick-start her apron making venture for anybody interested in ordering one…  and yes, with all proceeds going to Rotary.  Welcome Elsie and thanks so much for both your energy and generosity!!!

 

Kasey is a 5th generation Californian growing up in Bakersfield, going to Garces High School and then Long Beach State.  She returned to Bakersfield where she worked as a graphic artist at KGET, Bakersfield.  She is sooooo not bored as she is trying to juggle being a mom, a wife and a business owner.  She met her husband when she was 19 years old. She has 3 children – Ben is 20 and goes to Point Loma University where he double majors in Finance and Accounting; Joe is 15 and plays baseball at Arroyo Grande High School; and, Lilly is 9 and a State Champion baton twirler.  Kasey purchased and runs Garden House, a Morro Bay care facility specializing in Alzheimer’s and other Dementia care.  At Garden House, Kasey introduced Mneme Therapy which is brain based art therapy for those with cognitive disabilities.  The result of this is mind boggling.  The art work produced by these residents is inspiring!!!  But even more important, the increase in the quality of life for the residents is unparalleled as it allows them to feel accomplished, happy, and most importantly allows them moments of clarity that can carry throughout the entire day.  For anybody interested, they have produced a calendar which they sell as a fundraiser.  Evening with Heart was blessed to have been the recipient of 8 or 9 pieces of art for the silent auction – this writer wasn’t fortunate to have won one but will be contacting Garden House as they will also sell also sell them to the public.  Kasey, thanks for making our Rotary Club your home!!

Once again, local Rotary clubs lead the way for our youth by sponsoring high school students to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). It was again a great event and a recent club program. Each participant's life is transformed for the better as they learn life long skills on leadership, public speaking, diversity, problem solving, and many othe important skills. Pictured is this years team of students that attended from Morro Bay High School.

August 7th's meeting provided a glimpse of the Board's various ventures in their respective roles...  ~~We'd like to take a look at sponsoring the Lighted Boat Parade starting in 2013!!!  ~~October 2012 is Vocational Services Month - please contact Heidi if you have a business that would like to come in and talk about what they do...  and PERLS is coming to our Area - Master PRLS 1 (8/18), 2 (10/6), 3 (8/18), 4 (9/15) and 5 (11/3) are all being taught at the Santa Maria Inn, are all paid for by the Club and all promise to be of benefit to you both personally and professionally!!!  ~~Public Relations, led by Amanda, is hoping to create an effective campaign thru the media to promote our Morro Bay Club in a positive light - let the public see what we are doing and what kind of difference we are making...  ~~Fundraising, led by Meredith, is already busy with the annual Evening With Heart event, they are looking towards the Fish Fry, Avocado Margarita Fest, and the Harbor Fest too...  Get out there and help!!!  ~~International, led by Nick, is hoping, along with Clubs from groups 10, 11 and 12, to raise over $40,000 in order to fund 16 more preschools in Sri Lanka...   ~~Awards, led by Jude, continues to emphasize participation in as many programs, projects, and community events as possible - we ROCK by the way!!!  ~~Membership, led by Don D., has a goal of bringing in members through a new program called Ignite.  We should all be looking at encouraging those we know, that we feel would make good Rotary members, to give us a look!!!

2012 has been a great year for Morro Bay Rotary!!  Round-a-Bout Clean-ups...  PRLS...  Socials...  Golf Tournament... Evening with Heart...  March Madness...  and soon to be the Fish Fry...  Morro Bay Car Show...   4th of July...   Harbor Fest...   MBHS Scholarships...   etc...  etc...  etc...  Hope you are all able to do what you can for the cause!!!  Such a wonderful way to keep connected with your City, with your Club and with those we serve!!  

2012 has brought WONDERFUL SPEAKERS!!!   We've learned a lot about our members through craft talks...  Matt Franklin, Meredith and John Fennacy, Rick Grantham, Mike Shaffron - what lives we've all led...  It is always gratifying to hear the roads we've all taken - the places we've all lived - the people we've met along the way - and most importantly, the lives we've changed!!!!

We met Woody and his wife who work with PROJECT LIFESAVER, a volunteer search and rescue program aimed at helping those with dementia/alzheimers by giving those in the program transmitters should they go missing.  They have helped over 385 clients over the years and boast a 100% success rate...

San Luis Ambulance educated us in the increasing technology of being in the Emergency Medical Service profession.  New monitors, high tech computer equipment so that interfacing with the hospitals can be done quickly, auto-pulse which aides in the performance of CPR...   all more efficient which means we are in great hands - should we need the help!!

The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce - which has always been in great hands under the leadership of our very own Craig Schmidt - is doing the best to BUILD A BETTER MORRO BAY!!!  Their hope is to promote community, create a strong local economy, provide a network of opportunities and be an advocate for business!! 

Shannon McQuat is the Marketing & Outreach Coordinator for TRANSITIONS, a mental health advocate organizaton who provide support services for those living with mental health issues and their families thru the SLO Hotline, SLO the STIGMA, Housing programs, Employment programs, Growing Grounds Farm, Family Services and much, much more...

Needless to say there's always lots to learn...  lots to do...  and many ways to help!!!  That's it for now - talk soon...          jamie

Unbeknownst to this Rotarian, we have a group of humanitarians working for the kids of our area.  Director Jim Davis gave us a glimpse of God's Havens for Children, a non-profit, christian based, organization who are dedicated to recruiting, screening, training, organizing and supervising adult mentors and volunteers in our community in their efforts to provide foster services and youth mentoring opportunities to needy kids in this county.  They firmly believe that by investing time into the life of a young person, the door is opened for that young person to achieve the confidence necessary to flourish.  We can all help - while being a foster parent or youth mentor may not be for you - their needs are many...  you can help by volunteering, providing gifts for the children (birthdays or christmas), donation of canned goods and meals, or financial donations for special situations.  They also sponsor fundraisers throughout the year - visit their website at   www.ghfci.org  or feel free to stop by their offices located at 895 Napa, Ste A-2 to learn more about how you can help!!

An exciting Eco-Rotary Charter Night is being planned for the Morro Bay Golf Course on Thursday June 23rd. Social will start at 5:30 and meeting at 6:00 PM and finished by 7 PM. Come check it out and celebrate our district's newest club and the first Eco-Rotary club on the West Coast! It counts as a make-up AND you may learn something about our environment.

District Governor Deepa Willingham will be among our honored participants. She has requested that all Charter Members will receive Sam Greene pins! Deepa is inviting all 70+ clubs to attend so we could have quite a bit of celebration support!

Meetings are scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. Service Above Self.  For additional information, please contact John Weiss at 805-748-9615.

 

Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) 

Help The Rotary Foundation make a lasting difference...

 Clorinda Palomina, 8, drinks from an outdoor sink in the village of Santa Rosa de Huacaria, Peru, built with the help of a District Simplified Grant. The Rotary Club of Vernon, California, USA, used grant funds to provide construction materials.

 

OCIW Deepa’s Demotion and the Amazing Clubs!! Awards Ceremony will be held Saturday, June 25 at the Buellton Marriott from 5 – 9 p.m.  It’s going to be an evening of Rotary hilarity along with recognition of this year’s outstanding Club achievements.  You’ve never experienced a Governor’s demotion like this one so don’t delay.  Space is limited.  Register Now!  Click on "more" below for details and to register.

On the evening of June 23 representatives from Rotary clubs from Morro Bay, Grover Beach, Cambria, and Los Osos as well as district Governor Deepa Willingham gathered to welcome and officially charter the new Eco-Rotary Club of Morro Bay. This new Rotary club is only the third ecologically oriented club in the world and will be a pace setter for new clubs to follow. Already they have two environmental projects in the works. The club is off to a great start and with John Weiss as President is sure to grow and accomplish much.

District Governer Deepa spoke to the group explaining what Rotary is all about and telling them about the late Sam Greene and how he first got involved with Rotary. Our club enjoyed hearing from Sam back in April at our 60th Anniversary. It's our great loss that Sam has gone to his heavenly reward. To commemorate this new accomplishment of establishing Eco-Rotary, Deepa told the group that they would be receiving a special pin this night. It was the Sam Greene membership pin and she cautioned the new members not to give it away, or sell it, or lose it, because these are the only ones that exist.

Presidents Dick Pacaoan of the Los Osos Rotary and President Mike Pond of the Morro Bay Rotary gave welcome speeches. Then New President John Weiss introduced all of the Charter Members. There followed the pinning ceremony and presentation of gifts.

Eco-Rotary is a wonderful way for local people to do something environmentally positive for their community. The club is also perfect for folks who cannot make a luncheon or breakfast meeting as this club will meet every second and fourth Thursday at 5:30 P.M. at the Morro Bay Golf Course. Watch the news regarding this group because it is without a doubt that you will be hearing about good things from them.

Photos of the Charter night are posted in the Photo section of this web site.

Morro Bay High School students signed up in droves during Club Rush! Over 70 students signed up during this event which was held on Thursday September 9th in the school courtyard. Rotarians present included Morro Bay President Mike Pond, Los Osos President Dick Pacaoan, John Weiss, Nancy Guthrie, Nick Mendoza, Don Doubledee, Don Hudson, Andrea Klipfel, Judy Salamacha, and Andrea Pond.... Our Faculty Advisor Bruce Badrigan was also there encouraging the students to participate.

The Rotary Clubs of Morro Bay and Los Osos are working to sponsor an Interact Club at Morro Bay High School. Interacters are between 12 and 18 years of age. World-wide there are over 6,000 Interactor Clubs and over 150,000 Interactors in over 100 countries!

Teacher extrordinaire Bruce Badrigan is the Faculty Advisor, Shirley Hulin is the Los Osos Rotary Club representative, and John Weiss is the representative for the Rotary Club of Morro Bay.

So far, 90 students have expressed an interest in Interact. We anticipate, to charter the Interact Club of Morro Bay High School on Tuesday November 2nd! District Governor Deepa Willingham and Club President of Calcutta (India) will be among many honored guests. More news to follow on this special celebration!

Incoming club officers were elected: Darek Mendoza-President; Courtney Pask-Vice President; Laura Clark-Treasurer; Rebecca Radke-Secretary; and President Elect-Rose Badrigan. Congratulations to all!

Stuart McElhinney introduced three of the four high school students who attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards in Ojai by both our club and the Los Osos club. The four students were Marissa Hay of Mission Prep High School, Rebecca Radke and Dan Moskowitz of Morro Bay High and Laura Clark, also of MBHS who couldn't be here due to her competing in CIF for swimming. Laura is pictured here who was able to attend the program in Los Osos (absent Rebecca Radke from photo).

The Rotary Coastal Clubs of Cayucos Seaside, Los Osos and Morro Bay came together at the Morro Strand State Beach Park to work on a Sand Dunes Restoration Project for Rotarians at Work Day. Under the guidance of California State Parks staffers Jodi Isaacs, John Sayers and Park volunteer Lauren Danner, the 22 volunteers put on their boots and gloves to pull out dead non-native European beach grass on the dunes. This grass was planted many years ago to stabilize the dunes and it has helped create unnaturally large, tall and steep dunes not characteristic to the area. Perched and balanced on the tall dunes, Rotarians worked to eradicate the beach grass. The cleared space will allow more room for native plants and animals and benefit endangered species like the Snowy Plovers and the Morro Shoulderband snail thus restoring the dune community to a natural functioning ecosystem. Rotary volunteers enjoyed the perfect weather, had fun working and left feeling accomplished and informed after coming together for this truly "grassroots" project for the betterment of our beautiful Coastal area. Thanks to Dan Costley, Daudi Kaliisa, John Weiss, Jude Long and all of the volunteers who participated.

Some of the photos that I took are now on this site.  Check out Photos on the Home Page.

Ruth Ann

Dave Klinzman was first to represent Pacific Wildlife Care.  He said that they have cared for close to 5,000 animals since their location was opened in Morro Bay behind the Power plant.  Their mission is twofold:  1. Public outreach and education.  2.  Capture, rehabilitate and release wildlife back into nature.  They are funded solely by private donations and membership subscriptions.

Saturday March 13th, 2010 marks the Charter night for our county's second Rotaract and first off-campus. Headed by Domic Tartaglia and sixteen others, tonight was historic. Rotarians included all seven club Presidents from the club sponsors; District Governor Luz Maria Ortiz, District Governor Elect Deepa Willingham; District Governor Nominee Wade Namura; and Brenda Cressey, Zone 26 Foundation Coordinator.

Rotaract clubs are comprised of qualified young adults 18-30. There are over 7,000 clubs worldwide in 163 countries. The projects Rotaracts are involved in are world changing!

For additional information, please contact Dominic Tartaglia at 459-0839.

Brenda Cressey is the current "Rotary International Discussion Lady and was a keynote speaker at the 2009 Rotary International Assembly.  She is the recipient of the RI "Service Above Self" award.  Her dream is to end polio.

Jude was asked what did she want/need for her pending retirement after 35 years from the Library system.  She said peace on earth...our Jude!!....so they worked with the city to site a Peace Pole (including Paw print talk!! love it...she has that other side of her that comes out when you least expect it).  This picture taken by a friend there...I didn't have my camera...go figure!!....shows Jude with her hand over her heart pleased by the unveiling of the Peace Pole now sited at the entrance to our library.

At our January 5th meeting Dean Mignola gave us some ways to show our appreciation to our business contacts.  His idea is just to "send a card." A simple thank you card or a card letting someone know you have a referral for them were just a couple of ways he suggested would help our businesses grow.  You can check out more at his web site www.newsworthycards.com or www.sendoutcards.com.

Monthly Clean-ups are typically scheduled on Saturdays.
Saturday November 20th, Club President Mike Pond's daughter Michelle Pond was the first official Interactor to help out at our monthly clean-up. The threat of rain kept others away. Other MBHS workers have included Interact Club President Darek Mendoza. More to follow!

For Rotarians interested in volunteering, please see Fire Chief and President Mike Pond for the appropriate paperwork. The Rotary Club of Morro Bay is now the organization responsible for making sure the new Round About at Morro Bay Boulevard and Quintana is looking clean and sparkly.  Mike Wilcox came and instructed us on using the brightly colored orange vests for safety sake while performing maintenance chores and showed us the nice new signage that will be erected at the site showing the Rotary symbol. Unfortunately a vehicle ran over our Rotary sign. Hopefully a new replacement will be in place soon!

Take advantage of a great opportunity to work side by side with fellow Rotarians and Interactors while having FUN making a difference for our City's gateway!

Mary Leizear introduced Astrid Gallagher, a friend and fellow board member of Heritage Shared.  Mary explained that Astrid suffers from post-polio syndrome, a condition most of us are completely unfamiliar with. Astrid is confined to a wheelchair and is progressively losing more and more muscle function.

Ruth Ann introduced Shari Sullivan, who worked at the Bay News for several years and is now the outreach coordinator for the Morro Bay National Estuary Program.  She has a background in biology.
 
Shari explained that an estuary is where fresh and salt water meet and mingle. The entirety of Morro Bay itself is considered estuary, not just the back bay.  An estuary is generally protected by a land mass. Estuaries are productive ecosystems and fish nurseries. Our estuary is home to 150 species of birds and 24 endangered species.
 
Our estuary is part of the Morro Bay watershed, which extends to the tops of the Santa Lucia and Irish Hills mountains and encompasses the California Mens Colony on Highway 1 and the Warden Ranch on Los Osos Valley Road. All creeks and rainfall throughout the watershed drain into our estuary, so there is ongoing work to reduce pollutant sources throughout the entire area.
 
Shari urged us to visit the MBNEP visitor center at Marina Square on the Embarcadero, where there are many displays and photos showing the work being done throughout our watershed and estuary. There are many volunteers putting in thousands of hours to ensure the survival of our beautiful estuary.
 
We also need to keep in mind that all our plastics, motor oil and other discarded trash and dog poop run downhill into the bay, and those things are huge sources of pollution.  On Saturday, September 19, the NEP will participate in Coastal Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. On Saturday, October 3, volunteers will help with San Luis Obispo County Creek Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon.  Shari said the NEP also partners with Audubon and SWAP to perform projects in our area.
 
If you are interested in volunteering, please call Shari at 772-3834 or email her at ssullivan@mbnep.org.

Members please click on More to read our new President's letter regarding Dues!  Otherwise go to Stories.

Ah, but enough about Chuck Clarke, it was time to get down to business so we could get the heck out of there before it got dark and we killed ourselves trying to get down that road!

On to serious business and what the retreat was all about.  We were facilitated by a group of guys from our district who did an incredible job working us through an exercise that aided is us in developing a 5-year goal plan for our club.  I have to tell you I have sat through many a planning session for businesses, governments, and environmental non-profits and this method is the best one I have ever encountered.  So I offer you here our results.  Please click on Stories on the heading above and then click on Part 6 to read the 5-year goals.  Your comments and suggestions will be welcomed.  All of the photos of the retreat are on the Photo page.