President Chris Joyce presided from somewhere out west, thanks to Zoom.

 

Bruce Baumberger read the Thought for the Day from John Lewis’s final words “Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence, is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring. When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st Century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression, and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.”

 

 

Linda Gerber announced that the following workshop: Strengthen Rotary's Service Through Equity and Inclusion Workshop, is going virtual on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 4-6 p.m. In this two-hour workshop, we will explore key concepts of racial equity and inclusion and how they intersect with Rotary's core values. Join us virtually for this work with the YWCA Equity Institute. Sign up by responding to the email invite sent out Tuesday, August 4, or on the club website.

 

Bill Glader reported progress on the Virtual Taste of Evanston fundraiser. The gross amount at the time of the meeting was $8,300. Expenses are about $2,100 mostly to pay the event planner, leaving a net of $6,200. There were three “Executive Chef” $1K corporate sponsors at the time of the meeting:  Creative Care Management (the business of Steve Steiber and his wife Charlotte Bishop), Bradley Investment Center (Dale Bradley) and Glader Filmworks (Bill Glader). The fundraiser will end Sept. 1.

 

Kathy Tate-Bradish reminded members that if they have ever underwritten costs of the Taste of Evanston - wine, composting, etc. - to keep that amount in mind when they donate to the Virtual Taste of Evanston.   https://virtualtasteofevanston.org/ 

 

The date of the Club Picnic will be Aug. 26 (rain date Aug. 27) in Fran Caan’s backyard – 2236 Orrington Ave. (northwest corner of Orrington and Noyes). Starting time is 5:30  It will be a Fellowship and Ravinia Style picnic (bring your own chairs, ground cloth, food, and drink).  There’s plenty of room in Fran’s yard for people to spread out and physically distance.  From 6:30 to 8:30 there will be music by Los Perros Cubanos, the band led by Roger Sosa, Executive Director of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.  You may listen to their music at https://www.losperroscubanos.net/music.  The band will be on the porch. A port-a-potty is in the plan. Questions?  Contact Bruce Baumberger, gov.bruce@rotary6440.org.

 

Joan Borg reminded us that the Taste of Evanston restaurants still need our business and to remember to tell them that we are from Lighthouse Rotary and thank them for participating in Taste of Evanston.  

 

 

Ann Weatherhead boasted Katherine Peterson for arranging the system for get-togethers and Bruce Baumberger for arranging the walk at the Botanic Gardens on Friday morning.  Steve Goranson agreed.

 

Helen Oloroso boasted her daughter, Jessica, for having her gelato shop (Black Dog Gelato) donate all of its profits on July 19th (National Ice Cream Day) to Chicago Birthworks, a community of caretakers supporting mothers and their families before and after childbirth.  A total of four ice cream shops in Chicago united under the banner of "Scoops for Change," and donated more than  $7,000 to four organizations serving women and girls of color.

 

Harold Bauer mentioned that Koi is preparing many meals each week for the homeless and would welcome contributions toward this effort.

 

Brad Weiss boasted Al Menard and Chip Uchtman, who joined him and two of his sons on Saturday and they left Golf Road Spotless!!  The clean-up was greatly needed, yet they still finished in an hour and 15 minutes!  For the next cleanup, Brad promises to send out more than one email reminder!

 

Marv Edelstein roasted overly zealous do-gooders by showing a TikTok video.

 

Chip Uchtman  boasted Ann Searles for hosting eight people for a get-together at her house.

 

Ann Searles boasted her husband, John, who was her co-host!

 

Randy Usen boasted Michael Merdinger, who recently made partner at his firm, Private Vista.

 

 

 

 

 

Kumar Jensen introduced the club to issues that the city is facing as a result of climate change. The city’s approach for dealing with these can be found in The Climate Action and Resilience Plan (2018) which is available on the city website at https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showdocument?id=45170. Included are goals for increasing renewable energy and decreasing waste; preserving green space and providing education on this issue for all ages. 

 

We will need to mitigate the effect of climate change that results in hotter summers, shorter winters, more extreme storms, flooding, drought, more insect pests, invasive plant species and poorer air quality. These events will also result in stress on our infrastructure, including housing, as climate refugees move in from areas that are experiencing these problems even more intensely.

 

Mr. Jensen reviewed the goals set in the plan for protecting and improving our environment and the various strategies being used to reach these goals. The city continues to seek input from members of community organizations to carry out the plan.

 

Steve Goranson  reminded us that Lighthouse Rotary is already committed to this cause through our various projects, both locally and internationally.  These included a 2020 Community Service Grant to TizMedia for creating environmental education materials for elementary-aged students and contributing to two international projects, Eco-house in Mexico, and the Brazil Fill the Gaps.

 

Rotary International has recently added the environment as the seventh area of focus. Within the club is a group of interested environmentalists who are part of a District-wide and International Environmental and Sustainability Rotary Action Group. They welcome additional members.

 

 

 

Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, member, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where she directs End Polio Now activities throughout sub-Saharan Africa

 

 

Kumar Jensen - speaker

 

 

Harold Bauer - August 6

 

 

Jacob Bachman - August 5 - 5 years

Gerry Baumann- August 7 - 13 years

Pramgudha Chakraborty - August 7 - 2 years

Harold Bauer - August 8 - 14 years