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APRIL 8 IS ROTARY'S SPRING EGG HUNT

Don't miss Orinda Rotary's annual Spring Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8th in the Community Center Park. This long-standing, free spring event is geared for toddlers, kindergartners, first and second graders. Participants should plan to bring their own baskets. Prizes, treats and food will be available from 10:30 AM to Noon. The egg hunt starts promptly at 11:00 AM. Photos with the Easter Bunny are also available!

ORINDA ACTION DAY IS APRIL 22-EARTH DAY

Mark your calendars for April 22, when Orinda Rotary celebrates Earth Day by participating in Orinda Action Day. Club members will join other community volunteers to clean up, refurbish and otherwise beautify Orinda's downtown. Participants will meet at Orinda's Library Plaza, roll up their sleeves and get to work between 10:00 AM and 12 Noon. Snacks and a light lunch will be provided courtesy of the Orinda Community Foundation.

ORINDA ROTARY BRINGS VALENTINES TO ORINDA SENIORS

President Rodney and Orinda Rotary delivered 150 boxes of chocolates, accompanied by bouquets of flowers to the residents of Orinda Senior Village for Valentine's Day. Newest club member, Chris Louie, President Rodney's wife Ursula, and our long-time friend and caterer Leslie Masler were instrumental in helping organize and deliver the treats to the very appreciative recipients.

SUPPORTING MEALS ON WHEELS

Orinda Rotary is a long standing supporter of the Mt. Diablo Region of Meals on Wheels. Many of our members have dedicated countless hours to deliver much-needed meals to seniors in our area and the Club is proud to have supported Meals on Wheels monetarily, as well. Our gift of $500 was presented to MOW Executive Director Caitlyn Sly in early December. This gift will help hundreds of seniors continue to live independently, while remaining safe and nourished.

TEN NEW TREES GRACE ORINDA COMMUNITY PARK THANKS TO ORINDA ROTARY

Orinda Rotary contributed ten new trees to enhance Orinda Community Park, including Crape Myrtle, Chinese Pistache and Sunset Red Maple varieties for beautiful blossoms and fall color. Club members enjoyed a picnic to celebrate these additions to the landscape on October 26, with Todd Trimble and Steve Erhardt of the Orinda Parks and Recreation Department.

JOIN ROTARY VOLUNTEERS TO HELP OUT AT THE CONTRA COSTA FOOD BANK

Orinda Rotary's commitment to help out at the Contra Costa/Solano County Food Bank continues to assist families in need! WE NEED YOU THERE! Food Bank distributions and need jumped tremendously because of the pandemic, and there is no sign it is slowing down.

Volunteer sessions are scheduled each month. Our next outings to the Food Bank are Friday, March 17 and Friday, April 21, from 1-3 PM. Participants carpool and often share lunch prior to their work at the warehouse. Please Contact President Rodney Lal if you are interested participating.

CLUB MEETINGS ARE "HYBRID" - IN-PERSON AND ONLINE

Orinda Rotary is once again offering in-person meetings that include scheduled speakers! Our in-person meetings are held in the Founder's Auditorium at the Orinda Community Center and include no-host hot lunches. You must be fully vaccinated (two vaccinations and a booster) in order to attend in-person. Because of the increase in COVID cases, masks are encouraged when not actively eating/drinking. We trust that you will follow the Rotary 4-Way Test and adhere to our policy. Social gathering starts at noon and the meetings begin promptly at 12:30 PM. Click here to let our caterer, Leslie, know if you plan to attend in person and have lunch (cost is $25 per person)!

We also use the online teleconferencing service "Zoom" for those who prefer to attend virtually. Each week, members receive an e-mail from Club Secretary, Horst Rademacher, with instructions on how to join the upcoming meeting, including the requisite meeting ID and password. Members can join video conferencing from their computer or via phone. Non-members interested in participating in our meeting(s) may contact Club Secretary, Horst Rademacher, to request the Zoom link.

Upcoming speakers include: Wednesday, Wednesday, March 1: Annual State of the City Luncheon with Orinda Mayor, Inga Miller; Wednesday, March 8: Margena Wade-Green. CareerBridge and Path2Math Program Director at Children Rising will speak about their tutorial program to help kids excel; Wednesday, March 15: David Marchik, Dean of the Kogod School of Business at American University (and son of our own Dick Marchik) will discuss how the peaceful transfer of power is essential to our democracy; Wednesday, March 22: Suzanne Bragdon, District Governor of Rotary District 5160 highlights the latest projects and initiatives of our regional Rotary clubs; Wednesday, March 29: Horst Rademacher describes his recent experiences during a visit to the International Vision Volunteer Eye Clinic in Zambia, where we just completed the club's Solar & Library Project through our Global Grant; Wednesday, April 5: Melinda Sciandri, Executive Director, Southern Alameda County Dental Society talks about the "Give Veterans a Smile" project (successor to the East Bay Stand Down project ); Wednesday, April 12: David Thorson, Executive Director of the USO reveals how the USO supports our troops; Wednesday, April 19: Tovi Scruggs-Hussein provides her Rotary District Conference presentation, "Racial Healing and Allyship;" Wednesday, April 26: Michael Zaffran former head of the WHO Polio Eradication Project speaks via Zoom on the current state of polio eradication.

Additional Upcoming Events and Programs: Wednesday, March 1: Annual State of the City Luncheon with Orinda Mayor Inga Miller (see story above); Monday, March 6: Orinda Rotary's Annual Crab and Pasta Feed Fundraiser (see story above); Wednesday, March 22: CLUB ASSEMBLY-District 5160 Governor Suzanne Bragdon will be on hand to meet club members and discuss District initiatives; Saturday, April 8: Orinda Rotary's Annual Spring Egg Hunt at Orinda Community Park (see story above); Friday, April 21: Monthly volunteer outing at the Contra Costa/Solan Food Bank (see story above).

If you have questions, please contact President Rodney for more information.