Kee-Notes

Weekly Newsletter of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland

Serving the Community Since 1945

Meeting Date: November 24, 2009

President Jeanne Smith opened the joint meeting with Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club Greg Wims,President of the Rotary Club. Shira Oler led us in the pledge, George Patterson led us in God Bless America and Ben Schlesinger gave the prayer.  It was good to see Ben Schlesinger, Robby Brewer, and John Beck.

Announcements: 

                Leadership Training  @ 9:30 AM

 

President Jeanne Smith of Kiwanis Club of Bethesda and Greg Wims, President of Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary preside over the joint meeting held each year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. This was the first year the group met at Tragara which is the normal meeting place for Kiwanis.

Turkeys from the YMCA visited the group shown with Rotarian Stuart Schwager, Chairman of the Turkey Chase and Greg Wims, from BCC Rotary.  The annual Turkey Chase takes place on Thanksgiving Day and more than 10,000 runners are expected.  Volunteers are needed as marshals, to distribute shirts, water, and packets.  It's a great way to start off the holiday.

Happy Dollars: 

Ben Schlesinger HD for Turkey Chase.  He has run many times before with his daughter as have other members including John Beck.  It is a thrill to be running and have all the spectators cheering for the runners. Pat Tiede 5 HD for 43 Rotarians who have joined us today and  also for the Turkey Chase.  Bill Pennington HD for his daughter-in law who was supposed to be accompanied by his son Walter Pennington.  (He arrived late!)  -Bob Cressy HD for Veterans Day celebration on November 11, attended by 8 members of our club.  Rotarians did their Happy Bucks version and probably collected more money than we did.

Speaker:

Veronique Marier, Manager of Renewable Energy and Conservation Programs from Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. (WGES) presented a powerpoint presentation on WGES which served its first customer in 1996.  Today over 265,000 in Maryland, Virgina, Delaware and DC are served.  Residents of Maryland and DC now have choices about buying natural gas and electricity as the prices are no longer regulated but set by the market. Her emphasis was on renewable and green energy sources such as wind power, geothermal, solar and some forms of hydropower. Renewables are environmentally preferable.  West Virginia has a big wind farm which is connected to the electric grid and individuals and organizations can purchase wind power (it is more expensive than conventional sources). The advantages of wind power are no air pollution and no carbon generated. Solar energy is also an alternative but it is very expensive at this time. Mark Evans, Independent Agent of Clean Steps Windpower answered questions from the audience.

Tracy Miller won the 50/50 and returned it to the club.

 

George Patterson, Editor

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Editor - GEORGE PATTERSON (301-652-7061, geopatersn@aol.com)
Website Editor - PAT TIEDE (301-493-6937, patriciatiede@comcast.net)

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