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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF ROTARY IN FORT COLLINS
Irrigation Innovation Consortium
Our speaker this Wednesday, Dr. Stephen Smith, founder and former CEO of Aqua Engineering, will discuss the new Irrigation Innovation Consortium (IIC), a join initiative between private, public and university organizations addressing growing water scarcity in the western US and worldwide.  The Consortium is expected to be an internationally recognized center of excellence in irrigation automation, supervisory control and data acquisition, data management and decision support to enhance energy and water use efficiency.  Partners include the USDA – ARS, the Irrigation Association, the Irrigation Foundation, the Foundation for Food, and Agricultural Research plus Colorado State University, Texas A&M, Fresno State University, and Kansas State University so far.  For more information see https://irrigationinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ColoradoWater_V35-I6.pdf
 
Stephen W. Smith, PhD, FASIC, CLIA, CAIS, is an agricultural and water resources engineer who founded Aqua Engineering, Inc. in 1975 and was CEO for 35 years until selling his stock to junior shareholders in 2009.  For 20 years, he has operated Buena Vida Farm, in Larimer County, CO, specializing in blue spruce production for landscape plantings and vegetable production.  He is a founding partner of Regenesis Management Group, a high technology irrigation management firm and design engineer for the patent-pending SWIIM technology package.
 
 
His water resources and irrigation engineering experience includes projects throughout the United States, Europe, the Far East, and the Middle East. He was on the faculty at Colorado State University where he taught irrigation design for 20 years.  In 1996, he authored Landscape Irrigation: Design and Management, a definitive textbook on landscape irrigation. Stephen is past national president and a fellow of the American Society of Irrigation Consultants.  In 2009, he was national president of the Irrigation Association and served on the IA’s Board of Directors for a total of six years. He currently serves on the Board of the Louden Irrigating Canal & Reservoir Company and farms under this canal system in northeastern Colorado. Additionally, he is on the board of the Colorado Water Innovation Cluster which is dedicated to promoting innovative water technology and strategies in Colorado.  He the US delegation head to the Int’l Standards Organization (ISO) TC 23 / SC 18 (irrigation and drainage).  He offers personalized consulting services through Wade Water LLC based in northeastern Colorado. 
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Young RYLA Students Visit RCFC
Young RYLA attendees Colin Hagelky and Dylan Green visited RCFC and shared their backgrounds.  Both thanked RCFC for our sponsorship and the experience.  RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) is a 5-day leadership conference held at the YMCA of the Rockies, in Estes Park, Colorado.  YRYLA is for middle school students and is held in Larkspur, Colorado.  See chair Lloyd Thomas for details.  
RCFC Members Thanked for Orphanage Support
June 5, Dave Stewart introduced Father Dan Estes, head of the Santa Maria orphanage in Mexico.  Father Dan thanked RCFC for past support, and briefly outlined what has been accomplished with the ~$200,000 received from RCFC members and via RCFC / Rotary International Matching Grants.  
Space Exploration: Going Where No Man Has Before
Last week we were “wowed’ and informed by engineer and NASA ambassador, Jim Paradise, with a talk entitled “Space Exploration: Going Where No Man Has Before”. Jim reported on NASA’s recent achievements – highlighting Mars exploration, contact with an asteroid, as well as recent discoveries about Jupiter and Pluto.  Photos and videos were gorgeous and breathtaking.  We saw findings from the Kepler telescope  and heard expectations from future telescopes. Finally, Jim described future NASA missions.
 
Newer findings about Mars were given the most attention.  Mars' thin and decreasing atmosphere, low gravity and many findings indicate the presence of water in the past.  NASA travels to Mars every 2 years because of the close proximity of our planets at that interval.  First, USA vehicles orbited and took pictures with ever increasing resolution eventually allowing for complete mapping of the planet and providing  safe landing sites.  Mars rovers, starting with Spirit, then Opportunity ( water evidence), next Curiosity (further evidence of water in the past) and Insight (2018) have been able to sample surface and below the surface.  Each Mars rover has had mechanical (e.g., heavier payload and bigger wheels) and technological improvements.  The 2020 rover (Curiosity 2)  will be equipped with a small helicopter.  Moving further out in our solar system, investigation of the asteroid belt has shown that some asteroids have small moons.  Osiris Rex (after a 7 year journey) will mine and deliver back a sample from  an asteroid’s surface!
 
In other recent discoveries, Jupiter has massive constant cyclones at both poles; Pluto has at least five moons; There is a second asteroid belt beyond Pluto and a cloud consisting of thousands of comets.  We recently landed on a comet!  Next was a lesson in perspective - illustrations showing the relative size of the planets, our sun and our galaxy. The Kepler telescope looks at stars in our galaxy, notes minute changes in light from the star and extrapolates the presence of orbiting planets.  So far, 7,589 planets have been identified in our galaxy; many in a zone compatible with the development of life. Given the estimate of 2 trillion galaxies there should be 500 billion planets; in the  “habitable” zone.  Can we be alone?
 
NASA’s expectations for the near future include a return to the moon by 2024, a residence there in 10 years and astronauts on Mars in 15 years.  What an age we live in!
Rotary Club of Fort Collins was chartered August 1, 1918, and this year celebrates 100 Years of Rotary In Fort Collins.  
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Fort Collins
Meetings: Wednesday Noon
Drake Center (Lunch)
802 West Drake Road
Fort Collins, CO  80526
United States of America
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Evening Meeting Chair
 
Immediate Past President
 
THIS WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements Editor Bonnie Titley
Mike Stradt was thanked for the great trip to see Wicked.  Mike donated $60 to the RCFC Legacy Fund for funds charged attendees in excess of costs.  
 
President Steve summarized the budget for next year, clarifying increases and a change in dues structure.  An email was sent to all members.  Financial commitment forms will be distributed next week.
 
Martin Nelson is looking into a tour of the hydraulics lab at CSU West.
 
Melanie Chamberlain announced we had surpassed our pledged contributions to The Rotary Foundation by $4K+.  Thanks to everyone.
 
Bill Timpson recommended seeing the Lyric Theater’s film, “Silence Of Others”.
 
Assistant DG Ted Cluett asked for help in getting additional corporate sponsors for the year’s Peach Festival.
 
PDG Mike Forney invited retired professionals to join SCORE (Senior Corps Of Retired Executives).  Volunteers work with small business personnel to enhance their business.  Counselors are needed in Ft. Collins.  If interested, contact Mike Forney.
 
The History Fellowship will meet immediately after the regular meeting in the foyer. Our topic will be very personal and individual this time: 'What do you regard as the most important aspect of history that has helped to shape your life? A certain war, a major change in gender relationships, an economic circumstance?  Everyone and all aspects are welcome providing that they do not go beyond 2015. The time limitation will be explained.
 
Phyllis Abt displayed our new club banners, designed by JJ Bertholf.  They are available for members planning to attend other clubs while traveling.
 
Martin Limbird urged members to attend the Rotary International conference in Hawaii next year, June 6-10.  Register online June 1-5 and receive a discount for registration.
 
Volunteers for greeter coordinator and front desk duty are needed.
 
June 14 is the date for a golf tourney at Collindale to benefit Habitat for Humanity.  Details coming.
 
TIPS training for Peach Festival  Saturday, June 22, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM -- First Bank Building, lower level (100 South College Ave. -- at corner of College and Mountain in downtown Fort Collins).
 
If you need help signing up for King Soopers loyalty card, see Sally Lee.

Bob Traynor of the Windsor club announced a golf tournament on June 19 at Pelican Lakes course.  Proceeds will support RYLA and YRYLA.


Melanie Chamberlain announced the club now has its own storage facility.  Members harboring appropriate materials for our archives should contact Melanie or Bonnie.   If you loaned some archival material for our centennial displays and it has not been returned, please contact Bonnie Titley.  All materials are in storage to be inventoried.  Workers will watch for and return anything reported.

All members are encouraged to join the newly established Peace Fellowship.  Remember—peace leads to solutions.  Bill Timpson reported the Peace initiative is starting a book discussion group.  See Bill for details. 

Bill Schaffter urges participation in Fort Collins Read Aloud.  For information, go to Fortcollinsreadaloud.org.

Marty Bachman reminds all to report special occasions/events/illness that the Care and Recognition Committee should acknowledge.  Call Marty, Susan Brand, Melanie Chamberlain, or Jeanne Fangman.

Upcoming Events
Intl Projects and Grants Committee
Drake Center
Jun 19, 2019
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Noon Mtg. Program: Habitat for Humanity Update
Jun 19, 2019 12:00 PM
 
Evening Meeting (Formerly Satellite)
Red Truck Beer Company
Jun 19, 2019
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
 
Finance Committee
Markley Honda
Jun 20, 2019 3:30 PM
 
Noon Program: RCFC Changing of the Guard
Jun 26, 2019 12:00 PM
 
Board of Directors Meeting
Markley Honda
Jun 27, 2019
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
 
STEM Committee
Drake Center
Jul 03, 2019
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Noon Program: American Revolution in Broad Context
Jul 03, 2019 12:00 PM
 
Evening Meeting (Formerly Satellite)
Red Truck Beer Company
Jul 03, 2019
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
 
Membership Committee
Drake Center
Jul 10, 2019
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
 
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Photo Albums
06/05/2019 Regular Meeting
05/29/2019 Regular Meeting
05-22-2019 Meeting
May 15, 2019 Meeting
May 8, 2019 Meeting
04-27-2019 Highway Cleanup
05-01-2019 Meeting
04=24-2019 Regular Meeting
04-17-2019 Service Above Self
April 10, 2019 Meeting
04-03-2019 Meeting
Mar-27-2019 Meeting
03-20-2019 Regular Meeting
03-13-2019 Regular Meeting
03-03-2019 Meeting
02-27-2019 Regular Meeting
20190220Meeting
2-13-2019 Meeting Photos
02-06-2019 Meeting
01-30-2099 Regular Meeting
1-23-18 Meeting Photos
01-16-2019 Meeting
1-9-2109 Meeting Pictures
01-02-2019 Meeting
12-19-18 Meeting Photos
2018Dec12RotaryMeeting
12-5-2018 Regular Meeting
11-28-2018 Regular meeting
11-14-2018 Meeting
11-07-2018 Meeting
10-31-18 Meeting Photos
08-29-18 Steak Fry
10-24-2018 Regular Meeting
10-17-18 Meeting Photos
10-10-2018 Meeting
10-03-2018 Meeting
09-26-2018 Regular Meeting
09-19-2018 Meeting Photos
09-12-2018
09-05-2018 Regular Meeting
8-29-18 Steak Fry
08-22-2018 Regular Meeting
08-18-2018 Peach Festival
08-08-2018 Regular Meeting
08-01-2018 Centennial Dinner
7-18-18 Meeting Photos
06-27-2018 Regular Meeting
6-20-18 Meeting Photos
2018-6-13 Meeting
May 30, 2018 Meeting
Meeting May 23, 2018
05-09-2018 Regular Meeting
05-02-2018 Regular Meeting
04-25-2018 Regular Meeting
03-28-2018 Regular Meeting
03-21-2018 After Hours Meeting
March 7, 2018 Meeting
02-28-2018 Meeting
02-14-2018 Meeting Photos
01-31-2018 Regular Meeting
Regular meeting 01-24-2018
1/10/2018 Meeting
1-3-2018 Meeting Photos
Wreath Building 12-4-2017
12-6-2017 Regular Program
12-13-17 Christmas Party
Bulletin Editor
Stacy Plemmons
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