President Linda Gerber presided. 

 

The Thoughts for the Day were presented by Susan Prout,, including quotes from Condoleezza Rice ("The essence of what unites us is not ethnicity or nationality of religion. It is an idea, and what an idea it is--that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things."); President John F. Kennedy ("Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."); President Barack Obama ("In the face of impossible odds, people in this country can change it.")' and President Bill Clinton ("There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.").

Bill Glader announced that Dale Bradley is putting together a foursome for the Chamber of Commerce Golf outing and is looking for two more players. The date is Monday, July 26.

 

Bill Glader gave an update on the Taste of Evanston. The committee is looking for underwriters for tents, the Dawes House rental, decorations, wine and beer, security guards, tables, chairs, tablecloths, entertainers (musicians, magician, caricaturist, etc.) Donations are welcome as well. The next meeting of the committee will be held on Thursday, July 8, at 6 p.m. at Linda Gerber’s house, 521 Ridge Ave. in Evanston (or by Zoom for those that prefer it). It will be a potluck. Please RSVP to Linda.

 

Joy Joyce announced that there will be a presentation of a grant award certificate to the Foster Street Urban Agricultural Project on Tuesday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m., in the garden behind Family Focus at 2010 Dewey Ave. Chef Q and some of the growers will be present. Please let Joy know if you plan to join the group.

 

Gene Servillo from the Evanston Rotary Club has asked our club to join the Noon Club to co-sponsor a farewell party for Dick Peach. Many of you know Dick as a long-time Rotarian, environmental advocate, businessman, sports writer, fisherman, and a leader in our community. A majority of our leadership team voted in favor of partnering with the Noon Club and other sponsors to contribute $500 to the event. We are all invited to the party on Thursday, July 22, at Temperance Beer Company at about 5 p.m. If you would like to help our club cover the costs, please send your check made out to Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club to Kate Collinson at 940 Michigan Ave., #1-N, Evanston, IL 60202. Please put “Dick Peach Party” on the memo line. Your contributions will lessen the amount the club pays out of our treasury for the event.

 

 

Bryant Wallace boasted the Chessman Gala Golf event held on July 5. There were a record number of golfers. Participants included Clarence Weaver, Steve Goranson, Neil Gambow, and Willy Steiner from our club.

 

Bill Glader boasted Kathy Tate Bradish for underwriting composting for the Taste of Evanston.

 

Marv Edelstein roasted himself for not having the slides ready and referring to President Chris instead of President Linda.

 

President Linda Gerber boasted Bryant Wallace and announced that at The Evanston Community Foundation’s Annual Meeting on June 30, Bryant was presented with the 2021 Kogen Foundation Spirit Award to honor his board service and his countless hours and insight invested in making ECF and Evanston more welcoming for all. Bryant has demonstrated exemplary leadership as the chair of ECF’s Governance Committee, helping to shape a board that is every more representative of the community and has constantly represented the needs of and the perspectives of our Black and brown communities.

 

Helen Oloroso boasted her brother-in-law Tom B. who died last week, for donating his body to science.

 

Bruce Baumberger boasted Katherine Peterson for organizing yesterday’s wonderful flash walk through downtown Evanston, which was followed by snacks from Bennison’s Bakery.

 

Clarence Weaver boasted C&W Market, which was chosen by Go Fund Me as one of five or six recipients nationally who will receive a match of contributions on July 18, National Ice Cream Day! In addition, Go Fund Me will provide ice cream for 500 people and the recipients may receive coverage on either Good Morning America or USA Today. Clarence will provide more details at next week’s meeting.

 

 

 

 

Cassandra West is the Assistant Managing Editor of Crain’s Chicago Business. She is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College and studied American History at Northwestern University. She has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years in various roles for the Kansas City Star, St. Louis Sun, and the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

In 1994 she joined the Chicago Tribune, where she worked in editorial positions in various departments. She has taught at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern. She has lived in Oak Park for 31 years and managed the campaign for the recently elected village president. She serves on the board of Beyond Hunger.  She has a strong and abiding interest in the environment, water, climate change, and the connection between humans and nature.

 

 

We are fortunate to have access to this reliable source of water, but we should not take this for granted. Although Lake Michigan is cleaner than it was 50 years ago, before the Clean Water Act, it still faces challenges from nutrient runoff water, toxic chemicals, invasive species, and algae.

 

In addition there is crumbling infrastructure.  We should be aware of economic and racial inequities such as access to clean water, flooding in certain areas, particularly to the south and in Little Village. Erosion is a challenge all along the shore, but some areas have fewer resources to cope with this. Sewer systems are often inadequate to handle rain from increasingly heavy storms causing $10 billion in flood losses.

 

 

Many people are without water because they cannot afford to pay their water bills. The price of water has increased over the years. Water bills may in part reflect the cost of repairing infrastructure. Illinois has a record number of lead service lines which need to be replaced, and low-income populations are more affected.

 

Flooding occurs in areas that are least likely to deal with the problem. Suburban sprawl prevents drainage opportunities. In 2018, Chicago received a grade of C- for water infrastructure. There are $10 billion per year in flood losses nationally.  

 

Weather patterns and other factors such as building patterns cause a decline in biodiversity and a loss of habitat leading to the extinction of species. There are 3 billion fewer birds than in 1970 in North America. Almost 389 bird species are threatened with extinction if we don’t act.

 

Wetland restoration is critical to restoring wildlife populations. They reduce pollutants that enter our water system. Forest preserves are essential to help absorb water and prevent flooding. Otherwise, water goes into basements. The industrial area of South Chicago is impacted greatly by these issues.

 

Microplastics cause contamination of water and have many negative effects on the human body. The Forum in Crain’s Chicago Business will be focusing on this problem in July. It is alarming how much our bodies and those of animals consume these. 

 

She suggests becoming involved with organizations that teach about these issues.

 

National Resource Defense Council. Audubon Society, Forest Preserves, etc. can provide information, use volunteers to do restoration in forest preserves, or will receive donations. In Evanston we have the Citizens for a Greener Evanston. Steve Goranson shared information about this.

 

“Can we afford the solutions? How can we not afford them?” West asked.

 

 

 

Barbara Crane, Sister of Bruce Baumberger. She is from the New Rochelle, N.Y., Rotary Club.

 

 

Rebecca Mendoza, guest of Linda Gerber

 

Hillary Hufford-Tucker, guest of Marisa Naujokas

 

Cassandra West (today’s speaker)

 

 

Holly Halliday, 14 years

 

Carol Bild, 20 years

 

Horton Kellogg, 30 years