Several years ago, our traveling Rotarian, Laurie Edwards, visited Galapagos for eleven days. Her home was on the Samba, a 78’ motor yacht that can have up to 14 guests. Traveling on a smaller vessel often allowed them to be the only boat in an area. Laurie will share her adventure as well as the extraordinary diversity of life found there.
Galapagos consists of 13 main islands and is 600 miles west of Ecuador. What is seen today is just a snapshot in time. The islands range in age from 1 to 3.5 million years old and slide southeast 1-2” per year on a massive plate, which is like a geological conveyer belt. Each island has its own character.
Jill Ritzman, General Manager, Cameron Park Community Services District presented information on The CSD being used as an evacuation center for the Caldor Fire and on the CSD’s new Strategic Plan 2021-2026. This Strategic Plan captures a few of the CSD’s newest projects including the Solar System construction project and plans to renovate the Swimming Lagoon to a Splash & Spray Playground. The Board of Directors have enhanced their Mission Statement, created Core Values and set a Vision for the next five years. Several members of the CSD’s Board and staff were in attendance to support the presentation.
On Tuesday, Aug-17, Jill told us that for the first time the CSD's main building was used as an evacuation center for 60 Caldor Fire evacuees. A team of agencies -- the CPCSD, the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Humane Society are providing shelter, food, and services for these people and their animals. They don't need any more physical donations, but the El Dorado Community Foundation has set up a fund for Caldor Fire victims if you want to donate money.
The 2016-2021 CSD Strategic Plan was judged to have met 90-95% of its objectives, so the Board was eager to complete a 2021-2026 strategic plan to help prioritize efforts for the next 5 years. Some elements of the plan, and termed as part of the Vision for the CSD were to: Be financially stable and adaptable; Become a FireWise Community; Enhance the sense of community. Tactics for improving the sense of community include making spaces available for people to gather, and places with fun activities for families. The main project on the drawing board for the latter is a Splash and Spray playground that would be built at the site of the old swim lagoon. The CSD may need donations from NGOs and service clubs to help pay for this feature (depends upon whether a grant comes through). Hosting a Movie in the Park, another way to enhance the Sense of Community, was kicked off recently to rave reviews.
The CSD recently has been very financially responsible and is now adding to reserves rather than drawing them down. At the end of the presentation, a CSD Board member let us know that Jill Ritzman will be retiring in November and they are looking for candidates to replace her. The Club warmly thanked Jill and the Board members for their fire update and presentation.
The Celebration of Life for Bob Edwards will be on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the Green Valley Community Church, 3300 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville, CA 95667. There will be a reception after the service. Please let Laurie Edwards know if you can attend at beagles.cal@gmail.com.
Guests and Visitors:
Terry Johnson, Chester Rotary Club and ADG for Area 1,
Jill Ritzman, GM of the CP CSD,
Eric Aiston, CSD Board President,
Sidney Bazett, CSD Board Member (and potential new member), and
Jim Mog, CCR Officer for the CSD.
Happy (or Not) Bucks
Dave Sargent: $35 = $25 for the great report from CSD + $10 for the report from Terry Johnson, guest and member of the Chester Rotary Club
Terry Johnson: $20 from a relative of Art Cort in response to Mike Dugan's comment about how "humble" Art Cort was,
Mike Dugan: $40 = $20 for the 20 dogs he has at home right now, including 8 American Bulldogs being sheltered for a fellow breeder evacuated from the fire + $20 for Cathy Dugan who was flying back from Louisville, Ky with a new puppy from Evansville, Ind.
Marlyn Pino-Jones: $25 for Laurie Edwards who was filming the presentation by Jill Ritzman