The View – 9/25/14

The View 9/25/14

Next Week: Annie Liner will join us to talk about the Mendocino Coast Child Abuse Council, and the prevention of child abuse.

President John Cottle opened the meeting today, kicking it off with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thought for the Day: A joke from Steve Lund: “What’s the difference between Larry Ellison and God? God doesn’t think he’s Larry Ellison.”

Our guests today included: Steve Lund (visiting Rotarian), Pilar Gray, and Julie Masterson.

Happy Dollars:
– Heather – is verrrryy happy to announce that she passed her PMP (Project Management Professional) exam this week!
– John C – happy that Julie Masterson is here today!
– Gary – happy to have won at poker (again)!

Donna gives happy dollars!

– Donna – happy to come here during the work day; and she’s going to Stanford to watch Erin race!
– Harold – is playing in a national football pool — won the 3rd week!
– Matt – just happy!

Sunshine Report:
– Wilma was back in the hospital, and should be coming home tomorrow. Check in with Bruce and provide support.
– Pam H‘s mom passed away two days ago, after a long illness. Pam will be back in the new year.
– Betty C. is doing better — she needs an additional procedure, but it should be a relatively easy one.

Announcements:
– The Mendocino Art Center Paint Out was successful! With about 80 painters, the event was successful both socially and financially.

– Brandt got a special pin for bringing a new member into the club.

John Porter announces the club’s new adopt-a-highway project.

– John P announced that our club’s adopt-a-highway project has been accepted. Training is needed before we can begin work. We’ll need to do pick-up 6 times per year, from Big River bridge to Lansing Street.

– The club’s next Board meeting will be Monday October 6, at noon, at the Mendocino Hotel.

– Our regular club meeting on October 9 will be in the evening, starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Hill House. Appetizers, socializing, and a discussion of Rotary Park will be included.

– The Rotary Foundation dinner will be November 8, 2014 at the Santa Rosa Hilton. John C. has raffle tickets to sell for the event — your purchase counts toward both Paul Harris and Every Rotarian Every Year. $20/ticket, 6 for $100. Buy now!!

– Steve Lund talked about Fort Bragg Rotary’s efforts to help the people of the town of Weed who experienced recent devastating fires — 1/3 to 1/2 of the town was wiped out in minutes. People fled their homes with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing. A bank account has been opened at Credit Union branches, and in addition to funds, they are accepting donations of food, water, and clothing.

Julie Masterson announces the new William A. Masterson memorial scholarship.

Special Presentation:
Donna S. introduced our guest, Julie Masterson. Julie made a special presentation in honor of our late club member Bill Masterson. Bill was born during Depression in NY. He believed that a good education was his ticket to success. As a UCLA undergraduate, he was a candidate for the Rhodes Scholar program. Bill was the only member of his family to go to college. He and Julie provided for their kids and grandkids to get a college education. Julie is proud to announce a new Rotary scholarship fund: the William A. Masterson Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $2000 to help local high school students afford a college education.

Steve Lund talks about Noyo Food Forest.

Today’s Program:
Steve Lund, President of Noyo Food Forest, and Pilar Gray, head of the FBUSD school nutrition program, were introduced as today’s speakers.  Some of the highlights from their presentation:

• The Noyo Food Forest – Farm to School program was started in 2005. It’s mission is to cultivate a healthy local food system by providing opportunities for education, social enterprise and community involvement. Garden experiences are part of kids’ education K-12. They have roughly 1/4-acre under production now.
• The program has many innovative partnerships with local businesses. The North Coast Brewing Co donates used hops for compost production. Harvest Market supports their Harvest of the Month program by donating produce and putting these items on sale at the store.
• Their Annual Harvest Dinner is their main fundraiser, and their annual Earth Day events attract up to 1500 visitors. Next year’s Earth Day is April 25, 2015, from 12-4 p.m. with food, vendors, and more.
• Sustainability of the Noyo Food Forest is the goal, and a challenge. Their main source of revenue is produce sales to the school district. Their budget is about $100K per year. Their primary focus will be production for school district, plus specialty crops and fundraising.
• Their youth intern program lets high school kids mentor younger kids, harvest, clean produce, and sell at local farmers’ markets… it’s the 1st job for many of them.
• BEANS – Better Eating, Activity and Nutrition for Students – is a successful program that allowed older students interact with younger students, in conjunction with after-school program.
  

  Pilar Gray talks about innovations in the FBUSD nutrition program.

• Pilar Gray, Nutrition Services Director for FBUSD. In her 11 years in this position, she has changed the program from 100% processed frozen foods to cooking all real food, healthy and fresh. There’s a school garden at every school site. The New Federal Meal Pattern requires 1 cup of veggies, 1/2 cup of fruit, whole grains and lean meats at every meal — much of this produce is purchased from school gardens. The key to success is to connect kids to the source of their food. Plus, this is a great way to keep our dollars local!
• Dr. Janey Thornton, USDA Undersecretary for Food and Nutrition, and Zenobia Barlow, Co-Founder and Executive Director Center for Ecoliteracy, came on site and presented an award to FBUSD and the Noyo Food Forest for their innovative programs.
• “If kids plant it, they will eat it!” -Pilar Gray.

The Harvest of the Month brings new produce to kids and their families.

Raffle drawing: Travis Swithenbank drew the joker! He donated the $203 in winnings to Rotary Park.

Travis Swithenbank donates his raffle winnings back to Rotary Park.