|
A large crowd rose to their feet as President Dick Troncone called the meeting to order and introduced Richard Carr who provided inspiration with a poem on “being blessed”. Shelly Brockett led us in “America the Beautiful” accompanied by Larry Showley. Newsman Bert Wahlen’s History Minute highlighted 1930, then President Paul T. Edwards and an era of $5 fines. The news ended with Bert’s observation about two term limit as practiced in Illinois – one term in office and one term in jail.
Visiting students from Twain High School were introduced by Steve Hubbard. New member Jenni Prisk, a Communication Consultant, demonstrated her professional skills with a snappy introduction spanning her roots in New Zealand to her respect for Rotary. Academy Leadership Awards were presented by D 5340 DG Marge Cole and D5340 Administrator Dale Bailey to Bonnie Schwartz and Chuck Pretto. President Dick heralded Rotarian participation in the program. “Remember Sweetheart’s Day,” said Marlee J Ehrenfeld -- next week at Rotary –“truffles for everyone!” Please call the office or register at www.rotary33.org if you are bringing a sweetheart guest.
Next, fine time for good deeds! First, for the third year, Bink Cook, co-founder of “Max and Jake’s Big Race”, a run and walk to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital, announced February 28, 8:00 AM as this year’s date -- be a supporter. Next, Restaurateur Chris Cramer, who loaded the tables with a grand array of his fine brews, including his “Anniversary Beer,” explained Karl Strauss was celebrating 21 years of success. While there were calls from a thankful crowd for leniency, the gavel again came down at $250.
Moving on, President Dick introduced Chair of the Day Chuck Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus of the SD Zoological Society. Chuck acknowledged two tables full of Zoo trustees, past and present, while noting the institution serves 260,000 members and 5 million visitors a year. He then introduced Dr. Alison Alberts who, as the Zoo’s Chief Conservation Officer since 1991, has received recognition around the world for her work. Dr. Alberts introduced us to the world of “Biomimicry: A New Way of Looking at Nature.” While showing some striking pictures of different species, she gave fascinating stories of how products for humans have derived from nature, which has shown “what works and what can last.” A huge termite mound which keeps a constant temperature within 1 degree throughout led to a new building energy system design with significant savings. Studying bats resulted in the design of a cane for the sight impaired based on the bat’s use of ultrasound for flight. The last Olympics featured swimsuits with texture similar to shark skin. World records have been falling with frequency since the introduction.
More intriguing examples followed: new adhesive tape patterned after the hairs on insect feet; wind turbine blade that captures the features of whale flippers; the front of bullet trains shaped like the beak of a bird. We must realize how much we can learn from each specie. Why can our favorite Panda digest bamboo and detoxify the cyanide it contains? Dr. Albert closed stressing the impact of the loss of many species – likening it to the loss of the largest R & D laboratory in the world. The meeting closed with an appreciative and stimulated audience filing out to the tinkling sound of bottles being whisked off the tables.
Editor of the Day: Bob Kyle
Photography by Mike Conner
| 
