Old Mission Rotary

The Corona Conversation for Tuesday, May 18th: Last week President Biden announced that those of us who are fully vaccinated don’t need to wear our facemasks anymore, at least in most situations. That has created a bit of a stir and perhaps some confusion, but most important it’s a sign that the vaccines are working. Nationally, daily new coronavirus cases have dropped to just ten percent of what they were at their peak in early January. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are... just one-fifth of what they were at that time. Clearly things are getting better, and the reason is that the vaccines are working. With over 123 million Americans fully vaccinated it is getting harder and harder for the virus to spread to others. In fact, a recent study of vaccine efficacy among health care workers found that the vaccines not only prevent you from getting sick, but they also prevent you from spreading the virus to others. Vaccines are making a difference and remain the best elixir for a restoration of normalcy. So, what does this mean for wearing facemasks? It’s pretty simple. Follow the guidance of San Diego County’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Wilma Wooten. Dr. Wooten issued her most recent public health order of May 6, 2021. In it she updates County facemask guidelines in accordance with the guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health on May 3, 2021. This guidance, which precedes President Biden’s most recent statement will remain in effect in California at least until June 15th. Not only is this the law, but it is driven by the best available science. You may find that guidance at the following webpage: https://www.cdph.ca.gov///guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx When in doubt wear your mask. And, if you have yet to get vaccinated, schedule it soon. It’s your best shot to beat COVID-19. Photo Caption: The Corona Conversation with Don Krupp is a weekly feature now included in our Old Mission Rotary Zoom Meetings.

Do you care deeply about your community and looking for ideas to bring about positive change? Registration is live for the Rotary Peace Fellow Global Peace Conference on 19 June. 24 hours of peace talks, skills-based workshops, and networking is an opportunity you will not want to miss!

Our Southern Border: Border Patrol Agent Vincent C. Pirro and Agent Theron Francisco joined Old Mission Rotary on Zoom to talk about the current situation along the US and Mexican border south of San Diego. They gave us an informative boots-on-the-ground perspective on what’s happening where our two nations meet. The local San Diego area zone covers 60 linear miles along the border from the ocean to El Centro. The agents praised recent improvements to the border wall that... have replaced old and deteriorating ineffective barriers. The Border Patrol is also responsible for 931 miles of the California coastline. A recent Apprehensions are up by 20,000 over last year with some 70,838 so far in 2021. This number included 2308 unaccompanied children and 5484 family groups. The most common drugs being smuggled today are cocaine and Fentanyl. The border patrol is busier than ever! Photo Caption: Agent Pirro is the Community Liaison representative with the US Border Patrol, San Diego Sector.

Art Pratt Foundation of Old Mission Rotary Grant to the Flying Leathernecks Museum: The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is a United States Marine Corps aviation museum has been operating at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar since 1999. Unfortunately, The museum can no longer use the land on the air station and has been closed. The museum leadership are looking for a new home with both a physical location and a larger online presence. The museum contains exhibits and artifa...cts relating to the history and legacy of United States Marine Corps Aviation. The outdoor exhibits included 31 historical aircraft, multiple military vehicles and equipment. Indoor exhibits featured photographs, artifacts and artwork from the early days of aviation to the present. The museum maintains and restores vintage aircraft used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) through work performed by employees and volunteers. In the last 12 months, 28,000 people from around the world came to the museum. A grant for $6000 was accepted by retired Colonel USMC Victor Bianchi and retired Brigadier General USMC Mike Aguilar. The funds will be used for electronic equipment for their oral history programs and presentation capabilities. Photo caption: One of the many impressive aircraft displays at the Flying Leatherneck Museum is the "Lady Ace 09," the CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter evacuated Ambassador Graham Martin from the rooftop of the American Embassy in Saigon in 1975 during the last hours of the Vietnam War.

Casa de Armitad Club Program: Since 1997, Casa de Amistad, a non-profit organization, has served children and families in coastal North County San Diego through education and mentoring programs. Its academic mentoring program has grown from serving three children on its first night to serving over 260 children and their families annually. Their Kinder through College philosophy helps children strengthen reading and math skills in preparation for application to college. Photo Caption: Nichol Mione-Greene has been with Casa de Amistad since 2006 and has improved their community outreach.

Thousand Smiles Spring Clinic: Thousand Smiles held its spring clinic on Friday and Saturday (May 7th and 8th) at their clinic facilities in Ensenada. Members of Old Mission Rotary who attended were Cynthia Drake (RN), Bob Chalfa Sr., Bobby Chalfa Jr. and Stan Vogelsang. Stan made himself useful by washing used surgical instruments and sterilizing items needed for immediate use. Bob Chalfa announced that this warranted a new name badge for Stan Sterile Man! Cynthia Drake ...reported that three surgeries took place in the new surgical suites! All of the equipment worked flawlessly and the dream of on site surgeries at the clinic has finally been realized Photo caption: Some of the volunteers at the May Thousand Smiles Clinic in Ensenada: (L-R) Dr. Reema Sangvi - Anesthesiologist, Dr. Mark Lebovitz - Ear, Nose & Throat, Thousand Smiles Past President and Board Member Stan Vogelsang, Dr. Jacob Husseman - Ear, Nose & Throat and Dr. Earl Freymiller - Oral Surgery.

The ART PRATT FOUNDATION of Old Mission Rotary: The Art Pratt Foundation originally grew from a bequest of shares in Coca-Cola stock by Kearny Mesa Club Rotarian Art Pratt. Under the stewardship of the Kearny Mesa Rotary Club, the Foundation grew to be able to support numerous charitable organizations. When the Kearny Mesa Club closed, the foundation was transfered to Old Mission Rotary. The Foundation by tradition and practice has favored grant requests that: Benefit chil...dren and youth Benefit persons with disabilities or who are otherwise disadvantaged Organizations and not individuals Involve the acquisition of facilities or equipment DO NOT provide operating funds for programs or payroll Benefit the local community, especially the service area of Old Mission Rotary Can provide a tangible, permanent recognition of the gift by the Foundation and its founder, Art Pratt. The Foundation has not, historically favored requests that: Support ongoing programs and operations The Foundation prefers to give annually, a greater number of smaller grants in the range of $3,000 to $5,000. New grant applications can only be submitted after three years. The Board of Directors are elected by Old Mission Rotary and must be members of the club: Our current board is made up of President: Eric Benink and our Directors are Mark McAnelly, Matt Risi, Gary John Collins -Term Larry Edwards, Charlotte Cofield and Cynthia Drake. Non-Voting members of the board are the Treasurer Jacqueline Carpenter, our Assistant Treasurer, Stan Vogelsang and Secretary Judi Copeland. When requests are made to the Art Pratt Foundation, the board reviews the application and then the next step is to send a team of two board members to meet with the applicants at their facility or office. If the board approves a grant, the funds are disbursed at a club meeting with our large ceremonial check. Typically, grant recipients will present a program to the club on their good work. Photo: In normal times the Art Pratt Foundation presents a check at a club meeting. During the pandemic, this is done over Zoom. In July 2019, Boys & Girls Club received a grant of $8500 to help furnish and provide computers to the remodeled William J. Oakes facility in Logan Heights.

The Corona Conversation: At today’s installment of our weekly Corona Conversation, club member Don Krupp talked about the emerging variants of the COVID-19 virus. He noted that viruses naturally evolve over time and the Coronavirus is no exception. In fact, since it was first identified, the Coronavirus has seen thousands of variant versions. Fortunately, most of these, referred to as passengers, don’t really change the behavior of the virus. However, as the virus conti...nues to spread almost exponentially, medical scientists are concerned about five specific variations that have possible deleterious consequences. First discovered in Spain, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Brazil, three of these variations have now been detected in the United States. Of most concern is the variant from the United Kingdom which appears to be about 50% more transmissible than earlier versions of the virus. Scientists are now worried it may be more deadly as well. This British version of virus appears to have gained a significant foothold in both Florida and California, notably in the cities of Miami and San Diego. While scientists are seeking to better understand these mutated versions of the virus, there is still belief that existing vaccines will remain effective against them. However, if we don’t get control of the community spread it’s entirely possible that a strain resistant to these vaccines could emerge. Moreover, we may begin to see variants emerge which are more virulent with younger adults and children. Don, asserts that until we reach herd immunity through vaccinations, we must continue to follow expert advice from our local public health officials. Wear a mask, keep your distance, avoid large gatherings and wash your hands. See more

Rotary International President-elect Shekhar Mehta encourages members to be changemakers and announced his theme for the 2021-2022 Rotary year: Serve to Change Lives...not to be confused with To Serve Man which is a cookbook. Unfortunately, the International convention in Taipei has been cancelled but will be conducted as a virtual event.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego: On February 2nd, we were very impressed by a club program on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego which was presented by Danny Sherlock. Danny was introduced by our very own Michelle Malin who is the Vice President of Development at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego. In his current role as President and CEO, Danny oversees 20 centers covering a service area of over 2,000 square miles from National City to Borrego Springs.... More than 25,000 school-age children participate in year-round programs after-school and during school vacation periods. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego change lives through quality programs and guidance in a safe, affordable, and fun environment. They serve kids of ages 5-18 with programs focused on academic success, character development and healthy lifestyles. The San Diego program ranks in the top 2% in the national BGCA ranking for number served and budget. Many families receive scholarship assistance. For example in 2018, $816,155 in scholarships were distributed. 65% of the club members live at or below the poverty line and 24% are from single-parent households During a typical non pandemic year, 1500 kids attend summer programs and the clubs serve over 294,245 free meals and snacks. The Covid-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge. In March, Danny closed all 20 locations and furloughed most of the staff. Four of the facilities reopened in the summer and at the moment they are serving 315 children per day at five sites. Danny sums up his life’s work with the goal My dream would be that all youngsters have an opportunity to pursue whatever healthy activity they choose. Photo: For Danny Sherlock, what began as a part-time summer job at minimum wage turned into a fulfilling career that has spanned 47 years with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America!

Join our next Old Mission Rotary Virtual Meeting! Why not invite a friend to ZOOM with us? Tuesday, February 2nd-The Boys and Girls Clubs with CEO Danny Sherlock.

The Corona Conversation San Diego County moved back into the purple tier on Monday, reopening in an outdoor capacity: restaurant dining, gyms, places of worship, museums, zoos and aquariums, camping and outdoor recreation, bars, breweries and distilleries if they serve food. Personal care services such as barbershops, hair and nail salons and tattoo shops can operate indoors. Grocery stores can operate at 50% capacity, retail at 25%. Several of our club members shared their e...xperiences about getting vaccinated. Unless contacted by your health provider, it is essential to reserve an appointment online. Judi Copeland was contacted by her health provider, Kaiser Permanente, and was very happy with the vaccination process. Stan Vogelsang was vaccinated at the PETCO Park Super Station. He received his shot in the car and had to wait 15 minutes before driving away. Paula noted that she was told not to take Ibuprofen by the PETCO Park UCSD staff. She advised everyone to fill in all of your personal info in advance on the websites while trying to grab an appointment time as the times are taken within seconds. Jerry Hosenkamp was vaccinated at Scripps Clinic in Mission Valley and noted that they reserve the patient’s second dose. The common side effect from the vaccinations were sore arms. See more