The International Space Station (ISS) is an off-planet center of international technological and scientific collaboration. It has been in continual use for more than 20 years, enabling its national collaborators to undertake two main areas of study, which are Earth observations and a variety of scientific phenomena associated with the absence of the force of gravity. The development of ISS is a story of national interests beginning with the Second World War and the German development of a new form of warfare with the Vengence-2 rocket. This talk will cover the events and personalities which led to powerful national rocket programs in Russia and the United States as part of the Cold War. The Russian program was based on incremental growth of capabilities leading to plans for a large, never-built space station, while the United States opted for the development of the Space Shuttle as a means of transport to a low Earth orbiting space station. In the end, both nations collaborated with four other nations to create today's International Space Station.
Our speaker for August 26, 2021, was Albert Straus, the Founder and CEO of the Straus Family Creamery. Albert converted his family farm to organic in 1994, becoming the first certified organic dairy farm west of the Mississippi River. Albert’s vision was to create an economically viable dairy farm by using sustainable, organic farming. The Creamery itself is the first 100% certified organic creamery in the U.S. He believes that by 2023 Straus Family Creamery will have a completely carbon neutral dairy system. Albert is proud that the 12 dairy farms that supply the creamery are all certified organic. In fact, 80% of the dairies in Sonoma and Marin Counties are organic and sustainable. Albert believes that sustainable organic farming practices are imperative to ensuring the health of farming for future generations, and that by utilizing these systems small farmers can successfully compete with large corporate dairies.
How does the Straus Family Creamery achieve carbon-free sustainability? Albert listed 4 systems that help this process: (1) methane digesters; (2) reducing Enteric Methane with Red Seaweed; (3) electric farm vehicles; and (4) pastureland carbon sequestration. Methane digesters break down manure and other wastes to create renewable energy (including electric energy for farm vehicles) and fertilizer. Methane gas is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. In the Straus dairies, waste is routed to a covered lagoon. The methane is captured and converted into electricity used on the farm and elsewhere. The dairies also reduce methane by feeding cows red seaweed, which can reduce methane emissions by up to 95%! Pastureland carbon sequestration (carbon farming) allows dairies to continuously rebuild and protect their soil through the use of composted waste materials. This process results in higher sileage, better rainwater retention, and more pasture growth.
The Creamery also uses a higher percentage of Jersey and Jersey cross cows than other dairies, resulting in a higher percentage of butter fat and higher, more efficient cream delivery. The Creamery uses reusable glass bottles for almost all of their retail milk and averages 75-80% return on their bottles.
One thing Albert did not discuss: Straus Family Creamery products are fantastic! Try any Creamery product, including milk, ice cream, cream, sour cream, yogurt, and butter, and you won’t want to go back to national or store brands. They are wonderful!
Thank you, Albert, for bringing sustainable practices to our local dairies, for showing the path forward, and for highlighting your amazing creamery!
On a regular basis, our resident photo pro Warren Smith, submits pictures of what is going on at the weekly meetings. You can always find the most recent pictures at the websites photo journal called "Meeting Sighting" Please note that all the meeting photos for the entire Rotary year are at this location with the most recent on the last page.
Thanks for all the great pictures Warren!Link to Meeting Sightings. The most recent are on the last page!
Charlie Watts and Mike Kelly -- self taught drummers extraordinaire.
Did you know that both the late Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie Watts and Sunriser drummer Mike Kelly never took a drum lesson. Also, both collected and owner cars but Charlie never learned to drive and Mike had a Jaguar for 15 years that never moved out of his driveway. -- Just some thoughts for the day.
The Taliban supports Polio Plus in Afghanistan making the country tops in the world-wide vaccine progress! And there are 35 Rotarians in Afghanistan!
September 17 -- Octoberfest Celebration at Finley! Save the date! More info to come...
For this week’s woo woo moment, I wanted to explore the whimsical world of gnomes. Virgo is an earth sign that loves these quirky little beings. Let’s pull out our gardening gloves and get them dirty with some fun facts. My research indicates that gnomes were formally introduced in the 16th century by a Swiss physician, alchemist, and philosopher named Paracelsus. Gnomes are human-like creatures that dwell underground. There is speculation that the name comes from the word genomos, meaning earth-dweller in Latin.
Their pigeon-toed feet allow them to move through the wood and grass at a speedy pace. Gnomes are known to have superior strength and vision. They care deeply for animals, helping the wounded or dying creatures of the forest. Gnomes are wary of humans and masters at practical jokes. They also have a special interest in gems and jewels. They are protectors of the earth’s treasures.
Have any of you seen the movie Amelie? There is a reason why that traveling gnome visited so many fancy places. His silly little feet and his penchant for the finer things in life made him a world traveler. Do you have a traveling garden gnome? Send us a picture!
Flash! Eleven Rotarians and friends attend gala food-packing soiree Thursday evening!
An A-List of 11 Sunrisers and Friends of Sunrise were in attendance last Thursday at the Redwood Empire Food Bank’s social season Evening d’Excellence, enjoying themselves immensely gently packing sweet potatoes, onions and apples while sipping on premier bottled water.
Hats were all the fashion statement this year, with MJ Girard winning over the judges with a sharp Giants orange and black piece, stunningly accompanied by a matching 49er’s oh-so-politically-correct COVID mask.
Social faux pas of the evening? PP Paul O’Rear and PDG Del Raby arrived in lovely, but matching, blue Rotary golf-style shirts- oh no! There was more than a little tittering behind hands at this indiscretion. Said member Jim Moir at the end of the evening, “For me the good work we accomplished and the plush red carpet laid out by the sponsors really made the evening one that will not be soon forgotten.” Added Lori Rodrigues, “Can’t wait till next year!”
Can you remember the jitters of new classes, classmates, teachers, fashion of course, peechie folders, slide rule (way back when), TI calculators, locks for lockers or memorizing combinations? Excitement, post summer vacation blues, new sports season, drivers ed, simulators? Dual control cars? How many of us had those hair raising behind the wheel experiences and survived fear and humiliation?
The good news, is for us those days are well in the rearview mirror ~ or camera! For Elsie Allen students they are just beginning, with the exception of slide rules and dual control driver ed.
You can help them with other supplies as they prepare for another year of high school. The Elsie Allen High School Foundation is continuing it's annual Supply Drive. You can relive the anticipation of a new school year WITHOUT THE STRESS!! By contributing toward the students and teacher's supply wish lists, your supportive donation will ease the some anxiety and help a young mind find more eagerness for their new academic adventure.
M.J. Girard is currently an on air personality on KOWSfm.com His “Roots of Rock” is broadcast every Sunday morning at 7 AM
Time passes so quickly, it seems like a bolt out of the blue, just yesterday we were finishing our formal education and set off to conquer the world. Some of us are retired now, enjoying our kids and their kids… I pray that your family is well and happy.
My broadcasting career began in 1966… A lifetime ago…yet whenever I hear a tune from the past, my memory bank deposits a smile upon my face, sometimes a tear or two recalling a sad moment associated with the song…but either way, music is key to life.
This Sunday’s session with feature one of Rock and Rolls key memory makers, who lost their drummer recently. Charlie Watts, the unassuming beat keeper for the Stones.
Formed in the capital of England in 1962, rooted in American Rhythm and Blues, tempered with their own interpretations, and blended with the prevalent Rock stars from both America and in their own backyard. The Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, heavy-driven sound that ultimately became the Hard Rock genre.
The foundation of the Stones began in 1950 when Mick and Keith were classmates in Dartford, Kent. A garage band was formed with Dick Taylor covering mostly Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry amongst others. The band was called “the Blues Boys” and attracted the attention of Alexis Korner who had the well-established band “Blues Incorporated”. With Korner’s support the group played their first show, billed as “the Rollin’ Stones” 12 July 1962 at the Marquee Club in London.
Shortly afterwards they added a “g” to their name a began their tour of the U.K.
Identified with the counter culture of the ‘60’s as were the Beatles, The Who and other bands streaming across the Atlantic, changing the music scene with their upbeat tunes such as “Satisfaction” “Get Off My Cloud” “Paint It Black” and other groundbreaking renditions written by Jagger and Richards, much to the dismay of Brian Jones, one of the founding members, who being marginalized after losing his leadership status, then unfortunately succumbing to heroin addiction which took his life in 1969.
Join me via your smart device every Sunday morning at o7:0o or hit my website
www.Girard.org for a full complement of previous presentations. Life is to enjoy; music makes it more enjoyable!
A garden gnome is busy destroying plants when suddenly a house cat appears.
What are you? asks the cat. I'm a gnome. I steal food from humans. I kill their plants, and I raise a ruckus at night to drive them crazy. I just love mischief! And what, may I ask, are you? The cat thinks for a moment and says, I guess I'm a gnome.
• Special Message from Rotary International’s PolioPlusCommittee Chair, Mike McGovern on Afghanistan -Because so many of you have expressed concern about the polio situation in Afghanistan with the takeover of the country by the Taliban, we are publishing this special edition to share an official statement we received yesterday from Mike McGovern’s office. We thought it important enough to publish now, rather than wait till next week’s newsletter, to hopefully allay concerns that some folks may be having. Thus this special edition. The statement follows:
Eradica7ng Polio in Afghanistan
Michael K. McGovern, Rotary Interna7onal PolioPlus Commi9ee Chair
As the sun rose on 1 January 2021, we all worried about what this new year would bring. For those of us who closely follow polio eradication progress, it was an especially worrisome time. 2020 and 2019 had seen an uptick in wild polio virus cases and in circulating vaccine derived cases. Polio vaccinations had had to be suspended for a while in 2020 due to the corona virus and vaccines for Covid-19 were just starting to receive early use approvals.
The polio news was especially bad in Afghanistan. On the very first day of 2021, a wild polio virus case was reported. In the next week, the national health minister was fired due to hints of corruption on non-polio matters. Before month’s end, the government of Afghanistan ordered the UNICEF polio lead to leave the country relating to a verbal spat that had occurred in the President’s office. Then in March and June there were coordinated attacks on polio workers and their security teams leaving eight families having lost loved ones. The Taliban denied responsibility for the attacks, and it appeared the attacks were tied to elements who supported ISIS or ISIL as they are also known. We also noted that some areas of the country had been subject to over 30 months of a ban on house to house polio vaccinations.
While all this was going on other activities were occurring which have been mostly unreported. On January 17th, the Regional Directors of WHO and UNICEF met at the Taliban office in Doha, Qatar to discuss polio vaccinations and covid response in the areas controlled by the Taliban. While house to house polio vaccinations were not agreed to, the seven senior members of Taliban leadership indicated support for other measures to provide vaccination activities. In all areas of the country, health screenings continued unabated which showed no new wild polio cases and no positive identification of polio viruses in the environment. In a zoom call of polio partnership leaders the week of 17 August, Aidan O’Leary, the global WHO polio director, noted that Afghanistan has one of the best programs for polio surveillance in the world and it was not finding polio anywhere.
After the fall of the Afghanistan government in mid-August, the new leadership has agreed to keep on the acting health minister who has been effective in righting the program since February. Taliban leaders have visited the national and regional polio offices and pledged their support for the polio eradication program. On 23 August, a Rotary sponsored roadside vaccination hut provided vaccinations to children under five with local Taliban providing the needed security. For security reasons, I will not share the photos I received but it was good to see the Rotary logo doing good in the world.
Rotary has just 35 members in Afghanistan. They inspire me daily with their courage and perseverance. The polio program has always been politically neutral in every country. Rotary and our partners work with the leaders who are in charge. We now work with new leaders in Afghanistan. Rotary funds WHO and UNICEF. We do not send any funds to the governments nor to groups other than WHO and UNICEF. We monitor the spending they do on our behalf very closely. We have never been closer to eradicating polio in Afghanistan. We will continue to work with the Afghani people and our partners to finish what we began over 35 years ago.
Bob
Bob Rogers
Rotary Club of Sebastopol
District 5130
PolioPlus Chair (2020/22) Past District Governor (2017/18)
Zone 27
End Polio Now Coordinator (2020/23) Cell: 707-766-4636
African region marks one year since being certified wild polio-free
by Ryan Hyland
Rotary joined its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to mark the first anniversary of a historic public health milestone: the World Health Organization’s African region being certified free of wild polio.
The anniversary was celebrated on 25 August during a WHO Regional Committee for Africa meeting, which also addressed current challenges to eradicating polio and new tactics to achieve a polio-free world.
Africa’s milestone has already benefited children’s health and public health across the continent. The infrastructure and innovations that helped the African region become free of wild polio are playing an important role in the COVID-19 pandemic response and are available to use in future public health emergencies. Polio workers also now conduct other routine immunizations, deliver medicines, and provide other health care services.
The achievement in Africa is the result of a decades-long effort by millions of Rotary members, health workers, government officials, religious leaders, and parents. Since 1996, when wild polio paralyzed an estimated 75,000 children across Africa, health workers have administered more than 9 billion doses of oral vaccine, preventing 1.8 million wild polio cases.
Rotary members have contributed nearly $920 million toward eradicating the virus in the region, advocated for support from their governments, mobilized communities around National Immunization Days, and conducted events to raise funds and public awareness.
Five of the WHO’s six regions, representing more than 90% of the world’s population, are now free of the wild poliovirus.
Africa’s success in eliminating wild polio proves that the virus can be eliminated under complex circumstances and provides a blueprint for eradicating wild polio in the last two countries where it’s endemic: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Dr. Tunji Funsho, chair of Rotary’s Nigeria PolioPlus Committee, says the certification of the African region is a monumental public health achievement, but the ultimate goal of global eradication remains.
“Our job is not done,” says Funsho, a member of the Rotary Club of Lekki Phase 1, Nigeria. “Africa still has a vital role to play in ending polio globally and must continue to reach children everywhere with polio vaccines.”
“We also face a final hurdle in ridding Africa of all forms of polio,” he adds, citing outbreaks of the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) variant. These outbreaks, he says, “continue to harm under-immunized communities across the region and paralyze children.”
Health officials confirmed 609 cases of cVDPV2 across 20 countries in Africa in 2020, a sharp increase from a year earlier. One factor in the increase in polio transmission was the unprecedented pause in polio vaccination campaigns from March through July 2020 in more than 30 countries in order to protect communities from COVID-19. According to the WHO and UNICEF, 23 million children missed out on basic vaccines in 2020, including polio vaccinations.
Although the African region’s anniversary is evidence of what can be achieved, the two countries where wild polio remains endemic are evidence that as long as polio exists anywhere, it is a threat everywhere.
The GPEI’s new 2022-26 polio eradication strategy aims to overcome the remaining hurdles and finish the job by introducing innovative tools and tactics to reach more children with vaccines. The strategy includes the broadening distribution of a new vaccine to address outbreaks of cVDPV2. This novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) protects children against polio while being more genetically stable and less likely to regain strength and cause the vaccine-derived polio. It has already been introduced in several African countries, including Benin, Chad, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone.
The new strategy will expand the regional rapid response teams that quickly start work in areas with outbreaks. Health workers will also have more access to electronic surveillance technologies, which expedite the detection of cVDPV2.
The program will broaden an initiative that has helped more than 250,000 health workers access digital payments for their work in as little as two days. And the program calls for digitization with real-time data and automated dashboards that will help health workers plan more effective campaigns.
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