Welcome Guests . . . Happy Dollars. . . Salutations and Passings . . . .
We welcomed visiting Rotarian Dennis Wilson (Thousand Oaks) to the Club last week for lunch. (Or as Rob wanted to introduce him, Gary from the Simi Valley Club . . .).
Happy Dollars were offered:
- To say farewell to the 64th Annual Rotary Basketball Tournament . . . a fun and worthwhile event
- In honor of Steve Lee’s father, who recently died at age 92, condolences to Steve’s family
- By Tim Laubacher, the father of the bride (who did a memorable father-daughter dance with daughter Kirsten, playing online at a computer near you!)
- By Phyllis, thanking the many Rotarians who volunteered their time last Friday to help make the career fair a success again this year
- By Mike Barber, happy to be back among us after a knee replacement a couple of weeks ago
Teacher Recognition
Many Rotarians turned out in honor of our most recent teacher recognition. Last Tuesday, March 19, our club bestowed the honor upon Mrs. Charlene Aranzazu, a Kindergarten teacher at Kamala Elementary School.
Ms. Aranzazu was nominated by Principal Christine McDaniels.
Our recognitions continue in April, as we look forward to recognizing another valuable teacher to the Oxnard youth!
What the Frack?
Our speaker last week was attorney Jeff Coyner, who spoke to us about hydraulic fracturing, better known as “fracking.” Fracking is a procedure used to extract substances, primarily natural gas, from far below the earth. Fracking is performed by detonating charges into lines thousands of feet below ground, and fracturing the earth so that the substances trapped in there can be extracted.
Fracking is controversial because of the environmental consequences, many of which are a matter of debate. Additionally, the companies that engage in fracking don’t have to disclose the chemicals they use to extract the substances. Critics of fracking claim a variety of consequences, from earthquakes (virtually impossible that the charges could cause a tectonic plate to move) to the risk that the water used in the fracking process will seep up into the ground water (also unlikely, and a process that could take more than 1,000 years).
Jeff explained that the most notable negative risks from fracking come from those above the ground, not below the ground. For example, the water pushed through the line to extract the substances sits in above-ground collection pools, open to the environment and wildlife. If contaminated, this could damage animals that come into contact with it. Jeff also pointed out that, among the various regulations, the Safe Drinking Water Act excepts water, gas and other substances used to extract oil or gas . . . thanks to a powerful oil lobby.
Jeff closed his remarks by noting that fracking presents the timeless question of: extraction vs. environment, and how much is our country willing to risk to reach oil dependence?
Upcoming Programs
Thanks to John Clay Jr. for a varied and interesting array of upcoming programs:
- Today, March 26 - Cindy Keitel, “Empowering Change for a Healthy You”
- April 2 - Readings by student essay winners presented by Shannon Coletti, Principal at Rose Ave. School
- April 16 - Peter Nystrom, Assistant Scout Executive, Ventura County Council
This Day in History
- 1979, Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin sign a historic peace agreement, ending three decades of hostilities between Egypt and Israel and establishing diplomatic and commercial ties.
- 1979, Michigan State defeats Indiana State for the NCAA Tournament Title
- 1872, A quake estimated to be magnitude 7.8, and felt as far south as Tijuana, Mexico, strikes Inyo County on the San Andreas Fault, killing 30 people