High Gear for April 25th, 2016

Posted by Rosalie McCloud 
 
Who knew? April 25 is National Malaria Day!  Your reporter is excited, how about you?  We’ll be twitching in our seats before this High Gear sunsets. Actually, it is also reportedly National Penguin Day, but seems a bit out-of-season to your reporter, even though Christmas Day is just eight months from today.  Moving along…
 
President Barry called the meeting to order.  Pastor Paul led the pledge.  Father Mike invoked that God loves the Warriors and especially Steph Curry.  I’m pretty sure that’s what Mike said.  Couldn’t agree more.
 
Barry mentioned that some ladies are designing a new banner, much in the spirit of Betsy Ross methinks.  We look forward to seeing it!
 
Ouch!  Walt Ramseur’s Mary Griffin fractured her back.  We were  somewhat relieved to hear Walt say Mary should be home as soon as this week.  Our love and concern is with you, Mary!
 
Jay Doker received his round badge and became the most important Rotarian on the planet.  Reportedly, Jay and our own Barry Parker bicycled 100 miles or some such last year.  I say reportedly because who can believe anyone would do such a thing.  All for benefit of Best Buddies.  It is hereby documented that Barry admitted that Jay beat his butt.  There’s always next year, boss!
 
The excitement builds for Rotary Fiesta.  Joy Huettman needs some help setting up on Saturday afternoon.  Give her a call if you are available.  Keep in mind that  cocktail hour doesn’t start until 6:00, kids!
 
Dress is casual…like really casual, as in beachwear.  Try to employ good judgment in this matter.  Mary Murphy is thinking one sombrero should do it.    That does take care of one side anyway.
 
       Rotary Fiesta, Saturday, April 30 – 6:00 – 9:00P
 
Mariachis and a DJ, too.  Mexican hat dance most probably!!!  Auction items include Virgin America tickets, a Mystery Dinner at Joe LaMariana’s home on August 21.  No indication of the nature of the
“mystery” aspect of the evening.    Unsettling.
 
Paul Nieberding announced that we will be planting a tree in memory of Rotary Legend Dave Carr.  We will witness the planting when we assemble in the park on an unspecified Monday just before  our lunch meeting.  Trickster President Parker is trying to pass off the cost to Stan Moore’s reign.  Dave Carr would love it!
 
Joe Galligan introduced another overachiever, Megan Caldwell, MPH of the San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District.  Megan is the Public Health Education and Outreach Officer.   This County office has been protecting public health since 1916; it says so on her card.
 
Again, who knew?  The first Mosquito Abatement District was formed for Burlingame-Hillsborough-San Mateo.  Today being World Malaria Day, it was noted that Malaria was eradicated in the U.S. in 1951. 
 
Here’s where the twitching starts:
  • Birds transport mosquitos
  • The Zika virus has been found in Menlo Park and Atherton
  • Ticks are well-established in biomes similar to Fresno
  • There are cases of tick-borne disease discovered every day in
San Mateo County
  • Rodents carry plague, humans not affected…lately
  • Don’t touch caterpillars. Yucky. Just don’t do it.
  • Raccoons are cute, but transmit Rabies
  • Harborage is the habit of raccoons to use the bathroom, as it were, over and over in the same place.
  • Rats get mites and deserve them.
  • The Mosquito Abatement District has 21 full-time staff members
  • The Four Seasons in  insects:  ticks in winter, mosquitos in summer, rodents in spring, and wildlife in all seasons.
  • Mosquitos have been developed in Brazil and Central America that produce offspring that expire immediately. 
Mosquito fun remains. Lage Anderson wanted to know how a mosquito might discern an appropriate sex partner if one were a mosquito.
  • Don’t touch yellowjackets or remove nests yourself.  Call WASP control.
  • Good question, Mary Murphy:  Are mosquitos good for anything?  The politically correct Megan says they are part of the ecological system.  But, she also admitted – they’re not exactly good for anything.
  • Any rain brings mosquitos.
  • Most of the work of the Mosquito Abatement District is preventative.
Burlingame Rotary is donating a book in your name to the Burlingame Library. Megan was giving away these 'tick keys' which remove ticks the right way. Rotarians were endlessly amused by the 'tick keys' we received from Megan.  We amuse easily. Thanks so much, Megan, for all you do. 
 
            HAPPY NATIONAL MALARIA DAY!