March 20th, 2012

NEXT MEETING, March 27th PROGRAM: “The Lamorinda Patch”, Speaker – J.D. O’Connor Invocation & Greeter: Herb Wehmeyer

~~ COMING UP ~

*April 3 – “Moraga’s Chamber of Commerce” – Frank Melon, CEO Moraga Country Club and Pres. Chamber of Commerce **April 10

th – Super Bowl Commercials–Ted Klauber,

Advertising Executive *April 17

th – Club Assembly

*April 24

th – Andy and Wendy Schek – Lamorinda Weekly

*Indicates a regular Tuesday noon luncheon meeting ** Indicates a monthly evening meeting starting at 6 PM

GUESTS

Lynn Cannady – Rotary Club of Orinda Dave Englehart – Rotary Club of Orinda Kit Ohlman – From the Central Costa County Sanitary District and our speaker for today. Moraga Royale Guests Al Pyne - Transportation Director & Employee of the Month Karen Pyne - Al’s wife Chris & Nancy Berg - Proprietors Dianne Wilson - Executive Director Connie Kuhlmann - Assistant Director Jon Berg - VP Operations Alex Bjelogrlic - Director of Resident Care Manuel Cabrera - Maintenance Director Loto Rickman - Activity Director Jess McCormick - Marketing Director Linda Boone - Administration Director Lois Valcalda - Resident Luita Lynch - Resident Lois Campbell - Resident Ken Nagel - Resident Mike Lawrence – Manager, CVS Pharmacy Manager of CVS Pharmacy

THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM

Frank May introduced Kit Ohlman, our speaker for today. Kit is the Public Information Assistant for the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District. As a member of the Communication Services Division, Kit, who has been with the district for 4 ½ years, plans and oversees many educational and outreach programs and activities. Kit was raised in Concord, graduated from Carondelet High School and has a BA in Public Relations from San Jose State University. Kit described her talk as a description of what happens when we “hit the silver handle” on our toilet. She described the sanitary district as a public utility that is responsible for sewage drainage and treatment. They are not responsible for our water supply. The district serves a half million people and process 45 million gallons of sewage a day.

Kit described the 1500 miles of pipe that make up the system. The pipe is four to six inches in diameter close to our homes but the size increases to a diameter of 8.5 feet when it arrives at the single processing plant in Martinez. She went on to describe the effects of roots and grease on the condition of the system. Kit detailed what should not be flushed down a toilet – including grease; advertised flushable products (such as diapers and kitty litter), used medications, batteries, paint, etc. She described the facilities now available at local police stations to dispose of medications. Kit also mentioned the HHW Collection Facility in Martinez where residents can take non-flushable materials. She indicated that the facility cannot accept “sharps” (for example, hypodermic needles). Kit described the facility in Martinez taking us through both the water UV disinfecting and solid waste burning processes employed at the facility. She answered several questions about possible overflows in the system, how they clean out waste pipes and the small recycled water capability in Martinez.

What Else Happened? The meeting was opened with some thoughts on the spring equinox by Al Simonsen.

Nite at the Races Review Meeting – March 26th – 5PM

Frank May announced that, after our successful fundraiser ten days or so ago, there will be an “after the fact” meeting to discuss what went well and how we might improve the event going forward. The meeting will review the finances as well as the operations of the event. Please come to Frank May’s house, 12 Woodford Dr, and add your comments to the mix. Thank you everyone for your help and participation in this year’s “Nite at the Races”.

Nora Avelar announced that there will be a board meeting this evening at 5PM at the Serbian Church. Nora also announced that the District Assembly will be held on May 19

th at Solano College in Vallejo. She

encouraged everyone, and particularly board members to attend. Debbie Roessler announced that she had attended the Disaster Recovery and Preparedness Seminar held in Berkeley last weekend. She said the Rotary International sponsored event was excellent and she plans a program around its content. Cliff Dochterman, who also attended the event, emphasized the importance of preparation in readiness for earthquakes or any other disaster that will occur. Nora Avelar mentioned that March is Rotary Literacy Month and she passed around an article identifying programs where we can be involved in Rotary current literacy projects. Angelo Costanza announced that this year’s Camp Royale attendees will be Colleen O’Brian and Ryan Gannon.

Employee of the Month

Kevin Reneau announced the winner of the Moraga Employee of the Month, Al Pyne, the transportation director for Moraga Royale. Al, who has been a Moraga resident for nearly three decades, provides transportation (and a whole lot of other support) to the 94 residents of Moraga Royale. Dianne Wilson, Al’s director from Moraga Royale, described all that Al “really” does for the residents which includes supporting fund raisers and barbecues, organizing the annual trip to see the A’s, provide trips to the bank, the post office and the doctor. From the attendance from Moraga Royale at the meeting, including the business management, staff and residents, Al is obviously a much loved and respected part of the Moraga Royale Community. Congratulations, Al on being name the Moraga Rotary and Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Month for March!!

FUN N’ STUFF

Angelo Costanza offered a buck for a successful Iron Chef Challenge, a Rotaract fundraiser that he was asked to MC last weekend Jim Campbell offered a buck for Steve and Wendy Lack. Steve’s Pleasant Hill Rotary Club’s St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser attracted 450 people last weekend. Al Simonsen offered a dollar for his grandaughter’ who, as a community service project, ran a bingo game at Moraga Royale last week. Debbie Roessler gave a Happy Buck for the Miramonte Career Night put on by Orinda Rotary Nora Avelar had a buck for the St. Paddy’s Day fundraiser put on by the Diablo View Club. She indicated that the Diablo Club is interested in having a joint event with our club. More to follow!!

Rotary International Theme for 2011-12 “REACH WITHIN TO EMBRACE HUMANITY

CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS

Apr. 21 – E-Waste Collection Day May 12 – Moraga Community Faire May 19 – District Assembly, Vallejo. May 30 – Moraga Rotary Annual Field Day June 16 – Bocce Ball Tournament, Martinez June 26 – Annual Demotion Dinner

Watch for these dates to come: Barbecue for Rotaract and Interact

EDITORIAL COMMENTS Indoors or out, no one relaxes in March, that month of wind and taxes, the wind will presently disappear, the taxes last us all the year. ~Ogden Nash First a howling blizzard woke us, Then the rain came down to soak us, And now before the eye can focus Crocus. ~Lilja Rogers You can't see Canada across Lake Erie, but you know it's there. It's the same with spring. You have to have faith, especially in Cleveland. ~Paul Fleischman

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2011-12 President……………………………………………..Nora Avelar President-elect…………………….……………….... Frank May

Past President ...……………………………..Tony Schoemehl Secretary…………………………………….........Kevin Reneau Treasurer………………………………………..Louise Schopke Community Service Chair…………………….Barbara Bruner

New Generations...………………………………….Rich Render International Service Chair……………………..Colin Barnard Membership……………………………………………Frank May Rotary Foundation………………..…………….…... Lad Lynch Public Relations ……………………………… …… Gary Irwin Director at Large………………………………Debbie Roessler Director at Large……………………..Mary Elena Dochterman Director at Large……………………………...Cliff Dochterman

President, Rotary International……...Kalyan Banerjee District Governor, 5160………………… ...David Dacus Assistant District Governor………….Debbie Roessler

Newsletter Editor for March – Frank May