Monday, December 29, 2008

Carteret County Animal Control

December 22, 2008

Our guest speaker was presented to us by member Andy Searle. Our guests were Jeanette Saunders and Michael Hardy from the Carteret County Animal Control. Jeanette and Michael had much to share with us regarding the state of the animal problem in Carteret County.

There is a growing population of feral animals in Carteret County. Cats and dogs are being turned loose by people who no longer want their pets or the litters they are producing. To help tackle this problem, Animal Control has a “Spay/Neuter” program for low income families. Hopefully through this program, the numbers of stray, lost and abandoned animals can be reduced.

Pet registration and rabies vaccinations are law for anyone owning cats and/or dogs. A puppy or kitten should have its first shot, which will last for one year, at a very young age. After that there is a choice for a one year or three year shot. There have been anywhere from 2 to 12 bites per week reported. Four bites were reported just in Newport the past weekend. One boy had to have 24 stitches for the bites he received. Also there has been recent case of a rabid domestic cat biting a young boy in the county. The young man had to undergo the painful series of shots necessary for a bite victim.

People should educate themselves regarding the natural instincts of the breed of pet they are considering adopting or purchasing. Puppies should be acclimated to be around people, and should have obedience and socialization classes. “Pet Parents” should also consider having a “micro-chip” placed on their pet in case of loss, they can be identified. This can be done simply at any vet’s office for a price of about $10 to $75.

Animal Control is greatly understaffed, and they are getting about 15, 800 calls per year. With only 3 staff, they are having a hard time getting to all the calls that need attention. The shelter is always full of adoptable animals, such as they get about 125 to 200 cats per month. Some of the dogs that are transported to the shelter are lucky enough to be transported to Wilmington for training to become helpers for the disabled.

Christmas Dinner


December 8, 2008

Our special Christmas meeting / Dinner was held at President Cliff and wife/member Inez’s home. It was a glorious occasion with dinner prepared by Golden Coral. The feast boasted some of the best turkey with all the trimmings, including some of Golden Coral’s delicious sweet potatoes. Scrumptious desserts, prepared by our club members and their spouses, were a great finish to the dinner. We all went away very stuffed.
PDG Derryl Garner led our members and their families in Christmas carols, and told a wonderful story about Christmas Down East which captured everyone’s attention.

Cliff and Inez did a fantastic job of welcoming everyone into their home, which was so beautifully decorated for the holidays. Their newly built room was the perfect setting for a delightful time.
Thanks you so much, Cliff and Inez for all your hospitality, hard work and great Christmas atmosphere.
Next time, can we get into the HOT TUB??

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

December 1 2008 Program: Wind Power: Illusion or Reality


The Newport Rotary Club Program on December 1, 2008 was a presentation on Wind Power as a Viable Energy Source. Physicist and Environmental Activist, John Droz, Jr. was the guest speaker. Rtn. Bob Chambers was Program Chair.  

Mr. Droz is strongly in favor of reducing the pollutants of fossil fuel power facilities (like coal), and of aggressively investigating other good options for producing electricity. His concern regarding Wind Power is that we should not be wasting time and money on an illusionary solution, one that has no proveable scientific basis in reducing CO2 emmissions, and that the twin evils of "Political Correctness" and "Vested Financial Interest" are being used to advance the wind agenda. 

Acccording to Mr. Droz, a critical fact to understand is that just because a power source is an alternative, or a renewable, does NOT automatically mean that it is better than any conventional or fossil fuel source! In other words, electrical energy alternatives/renewables should not be given a free pass on common sense scrutiny, and the use of scientific methodology in objectively evaluating their merits.

Mr. Droz made the point that as to our power grid energy supply, the United States is NOT dependent on foreign oil, and is, in fact, energy independent, using primarily coal, nuclear and hydro to fire those plants. Moreover, the US has ample ongoing supply of these fuels, and they are a proven technology, safe, with a have a long term track record. On the other hand, transportation energy supplies are dependent on foreign oil, and alternatives should be addressed. 

More information can be abtained on Mr. Droz's website: http://www.windpowerfacts.info/

Monday, December 1, 2008

Newport Rotary Helps Bangladeshi Fishermen


Dear Newport Rotary Club,

You will be happy to know that yesterday our club has distributed 40 boats and nets to the Cyclone Sidr affected 80 fisherman families in the southern region of Bangladesh. A group of six Rotarians from our club headed by our club President Rtn. Nesar were present at the distribution ceremony. A day long workshop for the fishermen receiving boats and nets was also well attended by people from government, administrative, fisheries, cooperative, disaster management and primary health care departments as participants in the workshop. Local Rotary leaders from the southern area of Bangladesh also attended the function. Our club team will return to Dhaka in the afternoon today and then I shall collect pictures from them and send them to you.

We the members of Rotary Club of Dhaka North West gratefully recognize the great support of Rotarians in District 7730 for this matching grant. I do not know how to express my gratitude to you, the great friend of Bangladesh for your repeated support for people of Bangladesh.

With best regards,

Past District Governor K.M.Zainul Abedin
Member Rotary Club of Dhaka North West& District Grants Sub-committee Chair
D-3280, Bangladesh