President Bill Bolster made some noise with a ring of the bell at 7:30 with 29 in attendance.
We were reminded that people really want to talk with our club and that we had our last speaker wake at 2 am in the morning, in Micronesia, to listen to the ring of the bell.
A pledge was made by Jo Timmsen, our returning Rotarian.
Another inspirational message was offered by Glenn Sugden, who told us that Arch Klumph borrowed a few quotes rather than writing them: “My goal is to be a candle. A candle not only provides light, but it can also light many new candles – and even some torches.~ Unknown
Without a volunteer songstress, we had the leader Pres Bill share some information about Glen Campbell and that turned out to be pretty Gentle on My Mind. More than a few left their mute on rather than compete with the singer. Leslie Lewis threw in a fine for the President using technology versus having all members un-muted
Guests of Rotarians include our speaker Veronica Siwy and Sandra Potter with the Town of Windsor Water Dept.
Sue Nelson continues her March Rotarian of the month role. Photos and vaccinations are her passion these days.
We were treated to an introduction by Diane Brabitz of Brian Ling in honor of his receiving his Paul Harris plus-4 pin. Each $1000 donation to the Rotary Foundation goes toward the recognition.
Barbara McChesney reminded us that Rotary’s seventh area of focus is on the environment. She and Heather Cullen are working on a project for our club to become a part of the ESRAG (Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group). She let us know that our efforts these days are focused on the Vaccination project, but there are other clubs that are doing a lot of cleanup of waterways and many other clubs will appreciate your volunteering to lend them a hand. Get outside and appreciate the effort to clean Sonoma County waterways. Heather said getting a little dirty to make things clean is healthy for everyone, especially those with dirty hands.
Pres Bill shared that Sonoma County has a program to adopt a road, which we should consider because we can get a sign posted promoting the Rotary Club of Windsor for keeping it clean.
There are more than 400 flyers in circulation in Windsor in English and Spanish. and we are presenting checks to Alliance Medical Center in Healdsburg and to Circuit Riders to cover the cost of transportation needed to move seniors to and from the vaccination opportunities. Sue Nelson and Diane Brabitz are the ring leaders and are asking that we all work on sponsors and donations for our fundraiser to continue to support our COVID vaccination efforts.
If you have been vaccinated let Pres Bill know because we are now allowed to gather in small groups as long as everyone has been fully vaccinated. The scribe is getting his second dose of Moderna this weekend.
Michael Juric gave a report on the status of our annual fundraiser, which now has a logo and numerous commitments from various members to keep the ball rolling. Sandi Krutz, Chris Landwheir are gathering items to store in Glenda Sales donated warehouse. More is better when it comes to auction items. If you have time to do a little clean-up in the warehouse, let Sandi or Chris know. We also need to consider donating two bottles of wine with a $25 value each would be appreciated. Maureen Merrill let us know that we are going to be graced with the auctioneer prowess of Senator Mike McGuire.
All donations go through the community foundation. Please send to the Windsor Rotary Community Foundation with a designation in the memo section “Kenneth Moulton Scholarship Fund”. The Rotary Club of Windsor Community Foundation Post Office 2294 Windsor, California 95492
For those who are making a donation to Rotary, Glenn Sugden shared this informative link: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4553
There were a few fines, but Jason Black threw in a little more than the fine mistress asked for… because it is not every day you get a hole-in-one. Heather Cullen must have heard the news and sat down at a local piano to play a song, and that cost her as well. This all brought up a flurry of activity which included a photo of the Windsor Connection cover models, Pam and Ken Moulton. More for the Paul Harris donation. Glenn Sugden was betting against a political character and won, so he is sharing his winnings with Ken Moulton’s Education Foundation and the Windsor Rotary Community Foundation. Somehow we found out that Doug Williams is related in some way to the displaced Royal couple known as Harry & Meghan. That will cost you!
Program:
JB Leep gave us the introduction to the day’s speakers Veronica Siwy and Sandi Potter with the Windsor Water Program. Windsor Clean Water and Reclamation, with Veronica Siwy, Environmental Program Manager for the Town of Windsor.
There is an interesting background on Windsor Water. We might have thought it was easy to just get a glass of water, but then someone started arguing about the ownership of water and who gets the rights to water. Primary concerns for water include drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. Newer water considerations include Recycled water use. The biggest challenge for recycled water is infrastructure, but the Town of Windsor is at the forefront of infrastructure and the use of recycled water. The newest area of concern is tied to groundwater, who has the rights and who gets to use it and how much do they use.
The target for the water project is to provide clean water for all, including human consumption and the environment. The regulations have changed over the years with the first water act started in 1948 and the more recent 2014 water act. We learned that the Town of Windsor has its wastewater treatment plant right in the center of town, and that is a testament to the fact that not everyone knows the location because there is no tell-tale aroma. The treatment plant is fragile in some ways and we are reminded that flushing hard products, including diapers, can cause problems for us all. The largest purpose of the plant is to process raw sewage and there is a fragile balance between the microbes that eat away the waste and help to convert it to the water that is used on many of our park areas and other agricultural uses.
Windsor does an advanced filtration and disinfectant process that separates the water into layers that improve the quality of the water for its eventual use back in the environment. Our treated water is held in holding ponds, where the water is then discharged into Town uses and some also go to the Geyser facilities which turns the water into steam and that steam produces electricity. A nice circle of life.
The bio-solids produced from the plant are trucked to operations that can turn the solids into fertilizers that will also help the environment.
Be sure not to flush anything not meant to be disposed of in the wastewater treatment, including drugs, paints, and chemicals. Households’ aren’t the only ones being tasked to keep the wastewater moving. There is a series of regulations that are in place for commercial businesses, including wineries.
Pres Bill closed with 34 in attendance and gave shared a sentiment provided by Steve Jobs in his closing days. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Here is the latest update on COVID information from your Rotary Nurse…..
3/9/21
COVID UPDATE
Total Cases: 28,504 (last week 28,134)
New Cases: Fri 45
Sat 70
Sun 52
Mon 56 This is a total for 4 days of 223 (last week was 209 and the week before was 271)
Deaths: 303 (last week 298) – seeing more deaths in the general population and not necessarily in facilities – most of our vulnerable seniors in facilities have been vaccinated. Here in Sonoma County, we have seen over 55% of our deaths coming from SNF’s and the remaining from the community.
Hospitalized: 20 confirmed and 1 suspected (last week 29 confirmed and 1 suspected) 16 Available ICU beds so we are seeing fewer hospitalized patients with COVID. This is quite a drop in hospitalized individuals and the number of available ICU beds, but we do continue to see people practice unsafe habits. Unfortunately, we continue to see COVID fatigue and behaviors being practiced as unsafe as well as the vaccinated individuals thinking that masks can be removed, they can hug others and begin to socialize or travel. (all non-essential travel is still not recommended please!) Remember obtaining the vaccine, even 2 doses do not mean you cannot transmit the virus or still come down with it; however, it will prevent real illness and the possible need for hospitalization and death. Until 85% of our population is vaccinated, we do not have herd immunity and we continue to have several other stronger strains of the virus that has been detected here in the US. And we continue with a percentage of our population that are anti-vaccines.
We have tested a total of 559,651 with a 5% positivity rate and 26,345 recovered (last week 545,084 in our county with 25,791 people recovered)
Still seeing the largest number of cases in the Latinos (65% with them only being 27.3% of the populations and whites are only 12% with them being 62.9% of the population )
Still seeing the largest level of positivity in Service and sales (18.3%), then those unemployed and home care (my industry) at 2.4%.
Close contact (meaning close family or friend spread) is still a great risk as with household exposure and unknown being high. We are seeing in our own employee’s positivity in our Latinos/Hispanics and being exposed by family members working in other industries or ignoring travel or gathering warnings.
All medical experts are encouraging all of us to continue to get tested even if you have had both of your shots. It helps to determine new variants, exposure and will help to decrease our numbers with
Higher testing so that we can move out of the purple tier. They are also asking us to curb travel for vacations and get-aways as they are afraid of a surge of new cases with people traveling.
Vaccines were begun…. As of Mar. 8th, 161,809 residents in Sonoma County have received the vaccine (last week 146,196). Fully vaccinated individuals now at 11.51% (last week 9.5%) and adults with at least one vaccine dose is at 27.85% (last week at 26.05%). Vaccination rollout really came to an abrupt halt as the severe weather stopped the delivery of vaccine and then our allotment seemed to shrink. Add to that the priority seems to be southern California, not our area, and lastly that the Governor signed a contract with Blue Shield for them to take over the rollout of vaccinations. The County will not be running clinics any longer and has kept enough doses to ensure that people could get their 2nd dose but canceled all first-time vaccines. I continue to work with Public Health and as the new system with Blue Shield begins I hope to be able to access and continue to help people obtain appointments. We have received word that vaccines will be limited to hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Clinics and Optum Serve is what Blue shield plans to work with.
Remember, outside family members or close friends are not part of your bubble and unless they have been tested and isolated for 10-14 days before being with you and you the same, it can be risky. And if you see others from outside our county, have them and you quarantine for 10-14 days after. We cannot be too careful! The County continues to ask that we stay home and practice the 3 W’s – wash your hands, wear your mask and watch your distance. The CDC has announced that socialization with vaccinated people in small groups is safe, but both parties must have received both of their vaccinations and it should be at least 2 weeks post 2nd vaccine. The CDC and Public Health continue to request we not travel where we can become exposed at restaurants, restrooms, hotels even if it is outside activities. There are many other variants of this virus that have now been identified and until we have enough immunity, it is best for all of us if we stay home.
Please do not let your guard down; even receiving the vaccine means until we have the majority of our community vaccinated we need to practice safe habits and stay in our bubbles. Remember it does take time for any antibodies to form and only one vaccine only promises about 40% efficacy. Efficacy is greatly increased with the second dose and we need to strive for “herd immunity”. Once you have had both vaccines you can begin to socialize with other people who have also had both vaccines and can add those people to one of your safe “bubbles”. But, do not let COVID fatigue get to you and get sloppy in protecting yourself and those that you love. And do not think this is still not serious. Please become a believer – the life you save could be someone dear to you!
Thanks
Di