Kee-Notes

Weekly Newsletter of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland

Serving the Community Since 1945

Meeting Date: October 30, 2008

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President Debbie Van Horn led us in the Pledge, singing of God Bless America and John Walker gave our prayer.

Debbie welcomed back Shira Oler, Gary Boswell, and Jim Aylor. She thanked those that attended the Spiritual Aims Breakfast last Saturday at Leisure World.  Dick Ruprecht urged everyone to attend the Veteran’s Day Service at Woodmont Triangle on Tuesday, November 11.  Bethesda Chevy Chase high school band will play and as many Kiwanis members as possible should attend. It is very inspirational!  On Thursday, November 20, Walter Johnson Key clubbers will host a lunch for Senior Citizens.   Dick also explained the Walkathon for the Homeless on the Mall held on Saturday, November 22.  Many key clubbers from Walt Whitman, Walter Johnson and Blair will participate in this annual event.  Fannie Mae will match the funds raised by the walkers.  You can sponsor a student for $15.  To register to walk for Bethesda Cares, Inc., go to www.helpthehomelessdc.org and join our Bethesda Cares team or form one of your own. The walkers will meet at 7:15 a.m. at the White Flint Metro.  Jim Leder and Jim Aylor will be meeting this afternoon with Park and Planning for the Miracle League ball field which is still in planning stage.

Happy Dollars

Jeanne Smith HD for her newest addition a female golden lab puppy--yet to be named.  Pat Tiede HD for our guest speaker Harold Williams.  Dick Ruprecht HD for Dr. Williams.  Gary Boswell HD for his Princess Cruise taken with wife Kelly.

Speaker:

Returning for the third time to our group, President Van Horn introduced Dr. Harold Williams, Director of the Montgomery College Planetarium on the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. He has a long list of accomplishments and his bio reveals he is currently happy at Montgomery College but is always available for adjunct work as a consulting education and scientist.  His topic on “Light Pollution” was very illuminating.  For example, did you know:

• Light pollution is any adverse effect of artificial light, including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste.
• Light pollution wastes energy, affects astronomers and scientists, disrupts global wildlife and ecological balance, and has been linked to negative consequences.
• There is a correlation that women and exposure to light have an occurrence of breast cancer.
• Sleep in a dark room!!  Wear a hat!!
• Aging eyes are affected by light pollution.
• Urban lighting should shine down, not illuminate the sky.
• Compact fluorescent lights are better than incandescent lights.
• LED lights are the best illuminators.
• Light pollution from the wrong type of lighting won’t allow you to see the stars as in the photo below from Natural Bridges Park, Utah.

50/50 was won by Shira Oler.

Pat Tiede, Editor for the Day