SANAS Cuenca
Good Day fellow Rotarians, friends and family who are reading our weekly bulletin. Today’s
minutes are from TUESDAY, February 28, 2023
Pledge of Allegiance:
INSPIRATION: Michael Ragsdale
“Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. Faith is the courage to dance to it today.”
Peter Kuzmic
SONG: Bill Bolster led us in a rousing version of Happy Birthday to Stefan, our son from
Germany. Happy Birthday Stefan
No VISITING ROTARIANS
GUESTS OF ROTARIANS: Domingo from Chili and Stefan from Germany
Brian Williams introduced Jeff Brant, WHS Spanish teacher and two of his students, Sidney and
Isa, both juniors at WHS, and Kai joining us on zoom from college.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mike & Maureen Merrill arrived in Roaring 20’s style, ready for our Great Gatsby themed 35 th
Anniversary March 25, 2023 6pm
Staubli “juice joint” 100 Market St. Windsor, Ca.
RSVP https://windsorrotary.org/party
Pam Moulton announced the President nominating committee submitted the name of Rotarian
Larry McCabe as President Nominee Delegate 2025-2026, to the board for approval. The board
approved at a special meeting 2/23/2023. Pam presented the nominee to the Rotary Members
at large, there was a motion to accept Larry McCabe as President Nominee Delegate, the
motioned seconded and the vote was unanimously approved.
Rep. Jared Huffman has named Stefan Neuber, an 11th Grader at Windsor High School, as the
winner of the 2022 Congressional App Challenge in California’s Second District.
Stefan and Michael Juric met with Rep. Jared Huffman last week in preparation of their trip to
Washington DC in April where Stefan will present his award winning app. MatheX
For more information on the Congressional app challenge and to view Stefan’s YouTube video
click on the link: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/2022-winners/
Stefan has also joined the WHS soccer team and welcomes everyone to come watch the
games.
Michael Juric reported the scholarship committee has distributed information to students at
the school and on social media to apply for a Rotary Scholarship, deadline for submission
3/15/23.
Environmental: Kurt Mitchler stated there were quite a few entries of projects done for
February but encouraged everyone to keep planting those wild flowers. March is clean up
month; everyone can help with that every day.
Rotary Youth Exchange Golf Tournament: Saturday April 22, 2023 Windsor Golf Club
Proceeds to benefit: Rotary District 5130 Youth Exchange Programs
Register online at: ye5130.org/golf
District Assembly: Great opportunity to learn more about Rotary and support our incoming
District Governor Tom Boylan.\
Friday night Social: March 31 st , Grace Hudson Museum, Ukiah
District Training April 1, 2023
Ukiah Conference Center
200 School Street
Invite and registration emails will be sent out next week, contact Michael Ragsdale or Maureen
Merrill with any questions.
Speaker: Jeff Brandt
Jeff is a distinguished educator with more than 30 years in the field of education, the majority
of those years spent at Windsor High School.
In addition to his tenure at Windsor High, Jeff has been recognized as a Fulbright Teacher and is
also a Summer Fellow of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Most recently Jeff
founded the SANAS Homestay/Immersion Project, a program that allows students to travel to
Spanish-speaking countries and study with medical professionals.
Jeff stated the 3-week Spanish Immersion & Homestay Program is for both high and low level
speaking students and for all ages. The program gives students the opportunity to not only be immersed in the language but the
culture of the country.
Participants first attend Estudio Sampere in Cuenca Ecuador, to be tested for placement in a
local home for a 3 week stay. During their stay they visited Incan ruins, National Parks, and
open air markets. They participated in cooking and dance classes and enjoyed the everyday life
in Cuenca Ecuador.
Jeff was accompanied by three students that participated in the 2022 SANAS Cuenca program;
Kai, Isa and Sidney, all three students shared some of their experiences, stating the immersion
not only perfected their Spanish but exposed them to a different culture that has enriched their
lives.
Much like our own youth exchange program, it was evident these students now have family and
ties in Ecuador, relationships that will last a life time.
This year’s program will be June 30, 2023 – July 22, 2023 For more information visit: www.SANASCuenca.weebly.com
President Brian closed the meeting 8:30am
From Your Rotary Nurse….
COVID, Flu and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) UPDATE…..
02/28/23
NEWS:
CALIFORNIA’S COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY ENDS TODAY! It has been almost 3 years since our Governor declared a Public Health emergency, issued mandates and earmarked State funds for use in the fight against the pandemic. Even though the State of Emergency ends today, IT DOES NOT MEAN COVID-19 GOES AWAY…… it only means that the government’s approach to this pandemic has changed. We have the experience here in California and in Sonoma County that has proven that we can rally in communities to fight infection and put preventative measures in place. The State wants us to now follow the “SMARTER PLAN” –
1. S for shots
2. M for masks
3. A for awareness
4. R for readiness
5. T for testing
6. E for education
7. R for treatment (RX)
The Federal Government’s COVID-19 State of Emergency will end on May 11th which also means that States will not see help with the cost of testing, treatment and vaccinations. California has seen more than 11 million people contract COVID-19 since the pandemic began 3 years ago with deaths in our State topping 100,000.
So, what does this all mean: it means our pandemic has become an endemic (meaning we will have COVID as a regularly occurring infection or disease within our community) and we need to learn to live with it like the flu. But it also means we still need to be aware of what is going on and take precautions when we are not feeling well or in large groups. We will need a booster COVID shot yearly just like the flu and we just need to live life while being aware of our surroundings.
Because of this, I will not be sharing information weekly with all of you, but rather as I see trends or things happening I think you should know. I am always available to research things for you or answer questions and because of my Public Health background, will be sharing information and trying to educate others. Thanks for putting up with my weekly notices…..
Your Rotary and Public Health Nurse…
Di
COVID UPDATE:
Total Cases:
114,328 (month ago 113,184)
Recovered: 113,212 (month ago 112,107)
Active Cases: 545 (month ago 545)
Deaths:
545 (month ago 532) (****Please be aware that deaths do not get reported always promptly for a variety of reasons and this does not mean that all of these newly reported deaths could have occurred in the past week. ****)
Hospitalized:
25 confirmed cases and 3 in the ICU (month ago 29 confirmed and 2 in the ICU)
Vaccination information….
As of February 26th, 2023, 1,278,622 doses of vaccination have been given to residents in Sonoma County. (month ago 1,271,344). We only have 79% of our population 6 months and older who are fully vaccinated and 6% have had at least one (1) dose. Have you had your COVID booster and your Flu vaccine? If not, consider making that appointment now.
MASKS:
Masks are still encouraged when not feeling well, around those with decreased immune systems and in large indoor crowds. Unless you are eating or drinking, in an indoor situation with other people, other than your “bubble”, consider masking up to protect yourself and others.
TESTING:
Testing is still available but we know most people test themselves. Please continue to report to Sonoma County Public Health if you are positive as this helps Public Health know the trends in our community and if new variants and infections are starting.
Stay aware, take care of yourself and others. We will need to live with COVID and find ways to keep infections at a minimal. Carry a mask with you in case you need it
Fondly,
Di
