Chris Rose will be speaking about renewable energy in Alaska via Zoom this week.
Chris is the founder and Executive Director of Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP), a non-profit coalition of diverse energy stakeholder organizations working to increase the development of renewable energy and promote energy efficiency across Alaska. Before establishing REAP in 2004, Mr. Rose had a private law practice for over a decade that included work in remote Northwest Arctic villages and the mediation of a variety disputes around the state. He has written a monthly opinion column for Alaska’s only statewide newspaper and served on various statewide boards including the state’s Renewable Energy Fund Advisory Committee. Since 2008, that Fund has granted over $270 million to 80 renewable energy projects that today are displacing the equivalent of 30 million gallons of diesel fuel each year. He lives in the Matanuska Valley 65 miles northeast of Anchorage, where he runs a small flower farm with his family.
A Middleton Delaware Rotarian, Mr. Nanni is widely recognized as Rotaries go-to guy to speak about the impact of polio on people's lives and our progress at eradicating the disease. He starts by reminding us that it can be done. Smallpox is the prime example. His life has been impacted by three “P’s”: Polio, Post Polio Syndrome and Rotaries Polio Plus campaign.
Nanni made comparisons to the COVID-19 pandemic to the world before the Salk-Sabin vaccines. One example is the ventilator of today was the iron lung of pre-vaccine times. Polio was first documented 3500 years ago in Egypt but there is no reason to think that it did not exist prior to then. Nanni contracted polio in 1953 as a very young boy. He was paralyzed from the neck down for 6 months. Similarly to the current pandemic, those hospitalized could not receive visitors, made worse by most polio patients being children. He gives much of the credit to valiant efforts from his mother and an aunt for his being able to live a full life.
When Nunni turned 40 he started experiencing symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome, a malady unknown to many of us. Among the common symptoms are fatigue, weakness, pain, trouble sleeping, hypersensitivity to hot or cold, difficulty swallowing and intolerance to anesthesia and short term memory loss. After leading a fully active life Mr. Nanni now must use a wheelchair. His uses his experience to bring to our attention that diseases like polio, COVID, and measles have long term affects on suffers. Although preventable by vaccine, 219,000 people died from measles in 2019. Post polio syndrome is an example that even survivors may have health issues years later. Vaccines are estimated to prevent over three million deaths a year. Vaccines have become so effective that some question their need. The illnesses they prevent have become so rare as to be forgotten.
Rotary has been involved in promoting vaccines for decades, beginning with a trial project in the Philippines in 1979 and our world-wide campaign, Polio Plus, in 1985. Rotary, Polio Plus and partners are on the verge of having a year without polio in the world. Afghanistan and Pakistan each had just one case of polio in 2020. Two cases in the world! Mr. Nanni reminds us that airborne viruses like polio and COVID are easily spread. With air travel, a case can spread to anywhere else in the world in 24 hours.
As a call to arms, Nanni reminded us that only 10% of Rotarians make a direct donation to the Polio Plus campaign in a year and only 53% of clubs take part in the program.
Last Friday’s meeting was attended by 19 members and guests at the Coast and 9 on Zoom. The meeting began by recognizing our speaker, John Nanni, joining us via zoom. Mr. Nanni was dubious about acknowledging Tim Trueblood, Art Clark, or Art Clark. He was waiting for the person he had made the arrangements with, Janine Becka! He was willing to accept his old friend Ted Trueblood if Janine wasn’t available.
This was the first meeting with several tables at the Coast designated for attendees who self-proclaim as being vaccinated to sit together. As explained by President Art this may give those with compromised immunity or similar concerns confidence to attend our meeting in person. Two tables were identified and partially filled. Several members at other tables commented that they will make a point to sit at those tables in the future
Thought for the day was presented by Celeste Cohen.
I announcements we learned from PDG Ted Trueblood that our club has received two grants. The first sponsored by Kevin Fimon is for Claire House. The second, thanks to Mark Cosby is to benefit foster children.
In Happy Buck activity Penny May has added yet another grandchild to the gaggle she already had visiting. Penny declared that the May Youth Hostel has “no vacancies.” Kevin Fimon is celebrating his and Karen’s 25th wedding anniversary. Among the things he did to acknowledge the day was to see to it that treats from their favorite bakery, Flying Dutchman, were at Celeste Cohen’s house when Dr. Karen attended book club there. Kevin is a smart guy! Tim Trueblood had $5 to show his happiness for: (A) the upcoming induction to the club of Carmela Warfield, (B) A gift of a moose repellant, source unmentioned and (C) the attendance of past member Greg O’Keefe from his retirement home in Oregon. Art Clark is celebrating his next to last meeting as president. Jonathan Tarrant reminded Soon-to-be-Past-President Clark that he ought to be happy for landing a prime listing for the old Young’s Firehouse property on Dimond Boulevard.
Carmela Warfield was introduced by her sponsor Dr. Helena Wisniewski and inducted to membership by President Art. The Charge was administered by Membership Chair Tim Trueblood.