NEXT MEETING: February 13, 2015

Watch us BLOOM!

Alisha Fowler, Founder and Executive Director, will introduce BLOOM Educational Enrichment and discuss its program in Richmond. Founded in 2014, BLOOM seeks to help Richmond schools and local organizations address reading learning loss by implementing strong programs engaging more children in learning opportunities. The curriculum blends core academic learning and hands-on activities in a holistic, multi-sensory environment that incorporates gardening and healthy eating habits.

Alisha, a California native, recently returned to the United States after 3 years working as an English Education Coordinator and Foreign Language Trainer in China.  Her diverse experience in teaching, customer service and administrative support was instrumental in serving her most important clients, her students and parents. New to Richmond, Alisha looks forward to building working partnerships that will utilize her skills and allow for growth.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Rotarian David Calfee passed away on Friday, February 6. His wife, Betty, wrote that Dave was in good spirits and surrounded by his family. Members are invited to join the Calfee family for an informal celebration of his life at the Calfee home on March 28^th, from 1 to 4, in Meadow Vista, California. Please contact Ethan Heinrich for exact address. David Brown declared that Dave Calfee was one of Rotary’s true gentlemen. A loyal member of this Club, even after he moved out of the area years ago Dave contributed annually $1,000 to our Club and $1000 to the Foundation.
• Henry Moe reminded all of the Crab Feed on February 7… if you want to go…it’s too late!
• Jim Young reported that he spoke with Dan Sanders who is on the mend and gaining strength so he can join us soon.

MEETING OF February 6. 2015

Welcome

Prez Stoney called the meeting to order on a blustery day. Alan Blavins led us in the Pledge, Stoney offered a moment of silence for Peace, Freedom and Justice. Sid Chauvin offered “If we all did things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” Thomas Edison

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Connie Tritt had as her guest David Schoenthal.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

Joe “Swampy” Bagley handled Happy/Sad Dollars

• Jerry Feagley was happy to have brought back a Rotary flag from his recent trip to La Jolla.
• Nick Despota was happy that he learned something at “Mature Drivers” school. If wipers on so should your light be on. No ticket for him!
• Jim Young enjoyed our “Snow Ball” and thanked Heather Kulp and Stacey Street for their effort. Too bad there was not a bigger crowd.
• Mark Howe, with consultation from Shana Bagley, took a trip to New York and are glad to be back.
• Your Scribe had some dollars to remember Dave Calfee who was Rotary President when he joined and officiated his wedding.
• Prez Stoney added his high praise for the Holiday Party at Café Bubbaloo and thanked Heather and Stacey and echoed the thought that more should be there next year.

PROGRAM

The Kumpi Mayu Foundation

Stacey Street introduced our speakers Marty and Dean Rutherford, both Berkeley Rotarians, who started the Kumpi Mayu Foundation to assist with providing clean and potable water for communities in Peru. Problems with glaciers disappearing and waste products being directly dumped into the water have created a real crisis. They were astonished to find that 75% of the population suffered from recurring diarrhea. They provide communities with water filtering tanks that can provide clean water for 400 people a day. Because of the cultural past practices of these communities, who would use water from local water ways, there is a real need to educate the people as to why they need to filter their water.

Other challenges include storage of water, maintenance of pipes, and regulation of the sources of contamination. During the question and answer period there was a lot of discussion regarding putting together a project to raise more funds through matching funds from Rotary International. Did I see some folks volunteer for that committee? We do have a lot of experienced members in our Club who could assist with such an endeavor.

- The Menehune, Rotating Scribe